Love at the Center

Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies is a recent anthology published by Skinner House Books as an ebook, and available for preorder for a January 2025 publication date. The anthology is edited by Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, the president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) since June 2023. The anthology is comprised of twenty-six essays primarily authored by UU ministers and several lay persons. The anthology celebrates and centers an ethic of love within UUism, thus informing some and reminding others that it is foundational to UUism and clarifying what UUs believe and what they are called to in these critical times.

The assembled essays are relentlessly creative, and the diverse voices potentially pose a significant contribution to shaping and clarifying UUs’ articulation of a theology of love and demonstrating how it is foundational to UUism. The authors provide frameworks that demonstrate the link between humans and their connections to one another and to humanity based on a shared ethic of love.

In a non-creedal faith tradition with no stated dogma this anthology moves beyond the often individual and too familiar question that Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd asserts is basically the wrong question, that is, “what do I believe?” Instead, a more compelling question and universal one is, “Who am I in holy and accountable conversation and relationship.”[1] Posing a uniquely different direction then, leads to an even more provocative question, “who am I connected to?” She asserts that posing such a question creates an expansion of thinking that compels a shift from an individual perspective to a more universal one.

Each essay, while focused on a theology of love, expounds on different aspects, thus deepening the reader’s understanding. The anthology represents a much needed theologically focused resource in the small but growing body of UU scholarship. While every major faith tradition may contend that their beliefs are grounded in love, it is not the declaration but the doing, the executing, and implementing of love into action that distinguishes and translates into a theology of love according to the authors.

In her essay, Rev. Rebecca Ann Parker asserts that it is humankind’s disconnection first from self that then leads to disconnections to others. It is safe to assume that this disconnection from self and others more easily then creates a dissociation and alienation, thus rendering anything outside of self as “other” and not human. It is in this space of disconnection that humans become capable of “evil” and harm to others.

From this, it is possible to surmise that any disconnect from love disconnects humans from the ability to think humanely, act humanely and to embrace their humanity. It is then impossible to relate to and engage the humanity of others. Following this train of thought one can acknowledge such horrific actions such as genocide as evil and harmful. Some historic examples might include: the transatlantic slave trade, Auschwitz, Namibia, Rwanda, King Leopold’s slaughter in the Congo and, more recently, the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza.

While Christians label such actions as sin and evil, more and more UUs must be willing to claim the concept of evil and the language of evil. Rev. Ashley Horan asserts the following in her essay: “…We struggle mightily to directly name evil and look its perpetrators squarely in the face…There is a moral imperative to name and counteract evil.”[2]

Perhaps that is the next theology that UUs might engage and articulate more clearly. Rev. Rebecca Parker reminds us that a theology of love does not emerge from a singular revelation or a sacred text but “emerges slowly through a community of people who have shared a history of struggle and hope, who have resisted oppression, endured conflict and discouragement, and found blessings in the midst of it all.”[3]

An examination of the ethics of love and the application of intersectional theory may prompt further exploration into the intersectionality of love with colonialism, patriarchy, racism, sexism, ablism, classism, and heterosexism. This anthology strengthens UUism with such richly diverse and powerful essays. These and the many stories and songs that emerge from UU congregations are evidence of a theology of love embedded in the culture and social action work of UUs.

One concrete example of the theology of love that is foundational to UUism is its commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and multiculturalism. Its accomplishments, successes and failures are reminders that one’s intentions do not ensure successful outcomes or immediate results. Rev. Rebecca Parker reminds the readers that, “Puritan forebears’ ambition to build a better world wasn’t enough to keep them from harming the people and the lands they colonized.”[4]

Hopefully, this collection is merely the beginning of such endeavors to critically critique UUs’ ethic of love and its foundational relationship to UUism. It is possible that future endeavors will provide more case studies that reveal UU communities’ development and demonstrate examples of UUs nurturing the ethic of love and the processes of embedding these values deeply into the eight principles that guide UUs. Since so much, if not most, of the social justice work is motivated and inspired by an ethic of love, perhaps there is much to learn from such case studies. Further exploration can shed light on the spiritual discipline of love that stays engaged even when there is failure, as witnessed in the long-standing efforts of UUs to decenter whiteness in UUism and to inspire more racial and ethnic diversity.

Conclusion

While love is a popular and familiar topic in religious scholarship, what sets this anthology apart is that it fills the glaring gap in UU scholarship that is focused on theology. This anthology represents a much needed theologically focused resource in the small but growing body of UU scholarship. It represents a spiritual deepening that can advance the growth and development of UUs. I highly recommend this long overdue collection. It will be very helpful to UUs in understanding love’s centrality to UUism and how the guiding light of love is reflected in the principles.

This anthology holds great promise in opening new paths of inquiry into the theological foundations of UUism. These assembled voices reflect some of the best and brightest thinkers, writers and scholars within UUism. May their efforts encourage continued endeavors in shaping UU theology and result in producing seasoned and emerging theologians. And may this esteemed gathering of voices and writings inspire a renaissance of theological thinkers.

May the ethic of love continue to guide UUs toward Beloved Community.

May we overcome the barriers that lie ahead and stay grounded in this love, this universal love that is fierce and strong. A love that is profound and respectful that wills us to be changed by our relationships with one another. May it be so and blessed be!

– Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman

[1] Nancy McDonald Ladd. “The Theology of Love Was Never a Monologue” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024.

[2] Ashley Horan. “Death and Glory, Love and Evil” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024.

[3] Rebecca Ann Parker. “Love Is a Circle in Time” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024. 219.

[4] Rebecca Ann Parker. “Love Is a Circle in Time” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024.