Whatever Became of Love?
An Invitation to Rethink Everything
Foreword by Kenneth J. Barnes
Imprint: Resource Publications
Thomas C. Pfizenmaier is a retired Presbyterian pastor and professor. He served three congregations over thirty-two years, most recently as senior pastor of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in Chesterfield, Missouri (1996–2016). Tom then served as associate professor of formation and leadership development at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts (2016–2019), where he also served as dean of the faculty before retiring in 2019. He is the author of The Trinitarian Theology of Dr. Samuel Clarke: Context, Sources, and Controversy (1997), For My Daughters: A Father Reflects on Family, Friendship and Faith (2023), and several articles. He is married and has three adult daughters and a grandson. Pfizenmaier lives in the Pacific Northwest.
“Thomas Pfizenmaier has offered a much-needed boost for the life-changing nature of love. In a broken culture, with the church as the best ray of hope, we are left with one response: lean fully into the transformational love found only in the Triune God. With dozens of historical and current companions helping him craft his message, Pfizenmaier ushers us into an accessible primer for the applicable gospel of love.”
—Stephen A. Macchia, founder and president, Leadership Transformations
“If you are concerned that the world is colder and coarser, consider this book. Thomas Pfizenmaier skillfully laces history, story, song, science, and Scripture to draw us into the continuing cosmic drama of God’s love in Christ. But the reader must be ready to relinquish passivity to participate in this drama and pivot back to God’s love—in short, to become Christ’s disciple.”
—Joseph Byamukama, founder and team leader, Veracity Fount Uganda
“This important work is a must-read for all of us who hold the belief that love is the cure for all pain. If you were raised in the values of Christianity, you will be moved to revisit the source of your hospitable love.”
—Susan MacKenty Brady, host of Better Understanding podcast
“This book is a joy to read, to ponder, and to put into practice. Thomas Pfizenmaier provides us rich insights into this cultural moment of deep confusion and divisiveness. He explores the big questions of what is true, beautiful, just, and good; what went wrong; and what is our purpose. He then exposes our need for the transcendent, emphasizing the biblical primacy of God’s love. In a unique and winsome way, he calls the fearful and weary Western church to learn to love once more as disciples of Jesus.”
—Tasha Chapman, professor of educational ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary
“A good book keeps one’s interest, stimulates reflection, inspires change. An excellent book includes these but goes further, unveiling vital truths and kindling legitimate hope. And so it is with this book. Thomas Pfizenmaier powerfully describes the necessity of genuine love, the tragic cost of love being lost, and the beautiful, restorative work of the God who loves. Providing deep insights into what it means ‘to love one another,’ this book inspires hope for a beautifully different world and church.”
—Mark Patterson, president, Flourish Institute of Theology
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