An extended review of a 2025 book by TIm Whitehead
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Castle Quay Books, 2024. 288 pages. $19 (ebook $10)
Do we really need another book about love? This is the question Tim Whitehead ponders in a book that walks through the 15 attributes of love from 1 Corinthians 13 – linking each attribute with a person in the Bible.
The opening chapter discusses love as an action, and how that action is best understood when associated with a person. Who better than Jesus, His disciples, and the heroes of the Old Testament to show us how to live out true agape love outlined in 1 Corinthians?
From Abraham, to Esther, to Paul, and finally to Jesus, this book takes you on a journey throughout the whole Bible from the standpoint of love.
Love Personified reads like a melange between a Bible study and a coffee date. Along with many Scripture references and stories, Whitehead shares personal anecdotes from his own life to illustrate the depth of love that God has for each one of us. Biblical references from a variety of translations and necessary texts are all included for the reader.
At the end of each chapter, homework is given as a chance for the reader to examine their own life and meditate on how the Holy Spirit may further work in their heart.
As 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most highly quoted Bible passages, especially in marriage ceremonies, it must be salient enough to merit reflection. Each new chapter delves into detail of how we can authentically convey this kind of love to others through actions. Stories that you thought you knew, but maybe haven’t read in a few years, are brought back to life as you read through this new lens of love.
The first attribute of this passage, patience, is attached to the life of Joseph. Joseph’s ability to demonstrate forgiveness – when he was so violently betrayed by his brothers – exhibits a deeper type of love than the average human can even fathom. In the end, Joseph had a chance for revenge, yet he chose reconciliation with his family. The chapter takes you step by step through Joseph’s story, his feelings, his frustrations and his willingness to hear God’s voice.
The lessons resonate with the hearts of so many as each person has experienced some type of hurt, suffering, betrayal or unjust accusations. This chapter encourages the reader to love their enemies and to rise to a higher level of relationship with others. The homework for this chapter invites the reader to pray for wisdom in understanding their own hurt and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to still show love.
Subsequent chapters guide the reader through the lives of various other biblical leaders linked to further characteristics of love: Ruth shows kindness, Daniel bears all things, Abraham hopes all things, etc. The final trait is the heart of Jesus, as His life exemplifies how love never fails. Themes throughout the book motivate the reader to love God first, and then to love others so that others will know that we belong to the Lord. –Adena Lowry
Whitehead reiterates that our identity is found in the love of Christ, love without works is dead, and you will do what you believe. His emphasis is on how God works all things together for good for those that love him who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Moreover, just as in 1 Corinthians 13, there are chapters assigned to what love is not. Jonathan does not envy, John is not prideful, and Esther does not behave rudely, to name a few. There is an underscoring theme here as well. Love does not demand its own way, but it surrenders control and allows God and the Holy Spirit to move freely. The homework at the end of these chapters inspires the reader to trust in the Lord and obey His commands. All these lessons are highlighted as the reader studies the accounts of these biblical warriors through the perception of love.
Love Personified ends with another question, “What are we without love?” Whitehead weaves the message of truth and love accompanied by grace, mercy and compassion throughout the pages of this book. As Christians, we put our faith into a person, not simply into a concept or idea. Our faith is in the person of Jesus Christ, who is love personified.
Love is what kept Jesus on the cross and love is what raised Him from the dead.
This book is an insightful look into the Old and New Testament champions of love, welcoming the reader to contemplate God’s love for them. As Paul states at the very end of the love chapter, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
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