missions
We Need a Thicker View of God’s Love
By Kelly M. Kapic at The Gospel Coalition
· July 10, 2026
· 5 min read
Both in theology and in practice, we'll get ourselves into trouble by picking between two equally true ideas. We make enemies of what should be friends. For example, should we highlight divine transcendence or immanence? Is it better if our theology is Trinitarian or Christ-centered? Ought we to foc
Key takeaway Ought we to focus on the "objective" or the "subjective" sides of Christian life?
Why this matters
The concept of a thicker view of God's love highlights the importance of embracing multiple aspects of scriptural truth in Christian theology and practice. By recognizing the interplay between divine and human agency, Christians can move beyond false dichotomies and instead uphold a nuanced understanding of God's sovereignty and human response. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of missions, where a balanced view of God's love can inform effective evangelism and discipleship. The threefold cord of Messiah, ecclesia, and ego provides a framework for understanding the Christ-centered, ecclesially grounded, and personal nature of the Christian life. As Christians seek to share God's love with others, they must be mindful of the need to present a unified and multifaceted picture of God's character, rather than relying on simplistic or one-dimensional portrayals. This will require a deep understanding of the complexities of scriptural truth and a commitment to upholding multiple biblical teachings in tension with one another.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit The Gospel Coalition . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: missions ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering missions and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Both in theology and in practice, we'll get ourselves into trouble by picking between two equally true ideas. We make enemies of what should be friends. For example, should we highlight divine transcendence or immanence? Is it better if our theology is Trinitarian or Christ-centered? Ought we to foc
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kelly M. Kapic at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .