Summary: A second read of the first volume of Oord’s trilogy on the systematic theology of love.
About three months ago I read Thomas Jay Oord’s recently released A Systematic Theology of Love. I was very impressed with it. It is clearly written. It has a very good critique of the lack of attention to love within systematic theology, rightly pointing out that most systematic theology is oriented toward sovereignty, knowledge or power. And I think most important for me, I think his critique that many Christians talk about God’s love of us in a way that doesn’t particularly seem loving.
That being said, with very few exceptions, I think the clarity of the writing meant that a second reading did not really give me more insight or better answer my questions or concerns about his project. I think many of them will become more clear with the next two books of the trilogy. But those are not out yet and it will be at least two more years before they are out. I do think that some of the solutions being proposed for the problems that Oord is identifying are helpful. But I also think some introduce new and serious problems to his systematic theology. That being said I don’t think that as a lay person, I am going to be able to identify all of the problems, especially before the next two parts are out. I really do recommend this regardless of whether you find open and relational theology helpful because it is so clearly written and laid out.
One format note, The kindle edition (and I presume the paper) has three parts and is 507 pages of content. The audiobook version on Audible only includes the first two part of that and is 10.5 hours of narration. There is a note in the audiobook that says a second part of the audiobook will be sold separately, but it is not available on Audible yet. The audiobook was released on Audible in February 2026 and the Kindle edition was released March 1, 2026. So I am not sure that the second part of the audiobook is going to be released anytime soon. While the narration is done by Oord and is decent there are a few minor editing issues. I would just buy the kindle edition or paperback edition for now.
A Systematic Theology of Love, Volume 1: God and Creation by Thomas Jay Oord Purchase Links: Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook