Love as Law—Obedience and Identity Formation

What is the relationship between love and the law in the life of the early church? While many studies emphasize love as the ultimate principle that supersedes the Torah, this book offers a compelling reevaluation. In Love as Law—Obedience and the Formation of Identity, Endale S. Mekonnen argues that for both Paul and Matthew, love is not an abstract ideal but the very mode of law-obedience—the practical framework for fulfilling its commands. Rather than replacing the Torah, love gives it practical expression, defining the perceptible identity of the first followers of Jesus. By closely examining pivotal texts in Romans and Matthew, Mekonnen demonstrates how the supposed tension between the two authors dissolves, revealing a shared vision for identity formation grounded in the law. This work challenges long-held assumptions and provides a vital new perspective on the enduring role of the Torah in shaping Christian life and ethics.