You are here

Compassion as the Heart of the Gospel

TitleCompassion as the Heart of the Gospel
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsPeterson, Daniel C.
JournalInterpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Volume32
Paginationvii-xvi
KeywordsCompassion; Conversion; Love
Abstract

The Greek philosopher Aristotle, clearly one of the world’s great geniuses, created the concept of the “unmoved mover,” which moves “other things, but is, itself, unmoved by anything else.” This label became the standard Jewish, Christian, and Muslim description of an impersonal God — a God without body, parts or passions — a concept that has, for nearly 20 centuries, dominated western theology, philosophy, and science. The problem for thinkers in these religious traditions is that the God depicted in the Bible and the Qur’an is plainly personal. A careful review of the Bible and modern scripture reveals a “compassionate, feeling” God. Numerous scriptures confirm that God, in fact, “feels more deeply than we can even begin to imagine.”

URLhttps://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/compassion-as-the-heart-of-the-gospel/