Looking for Love?

“Love stories never go out of style,” writes Allan F. Wright in his latest book, The Bible’s Best Love Stories.

We read stories about love, we view films about love, we listen to songs about love, we text others about our love, we post our love on Facebook. Most of us have experienced love in some way. Some of us have looked for love in the wrong places.

But many of us, I’m sure, have not thought seriously about how the Bible contains some of the best love stories ever told!

Biblical people love just like us

To help us learn more about these scriptural love stories, Allan—a husband, father, teacher and academic dean of evangelization for the diocese of Paterson, New Jersey— delved into the Bible and identified for us:

• people who wanted to love and be loved,
• people of passion,
• people who formed strong bonds of friendship,
• people who were loyal,
• people who had sexual desires,
• people who failed and received forgiveness, and
• people who strove to find God in their daily lives.

“These people often lived heroically,” says Allan, and “other times they failed miserably at loving God the way God intended.” Just like us.

Allan reveals that the Scriptures contain genuine, heartfelt love stories, among them stories:

• of first love (Adam and Eve),
• of trusting love (Abraham and Sarah),
• of men and women who were faithful friends to each other (Paul, Silas and Lydia),
• of brothers who reconciled (Joseph and his brothers),
• of men and women who are present to each other in times of trouble (Ruth and Naomi), of sacrificial love (Jesus and Peter)
• of faithful love (Zechariah and Elizabeth).

When love abounds

The Bible’s Best Love Stories is an ideal gift for anyone you love or have loved or who has shown love to you.

Stone photos by Lauretta Santarossa

The book also can be a great source of inspiration for your small faith group, spiritual book club or Bible study group. It is a perfect volume to give and read during this Valentine’s Day period when love abounds.

Which love story in the Bible do you think is best?

About the Author

Lisa Biedenbach

Lisa Biedenbach, director of product development for St. Anthony Messenger Press books, works to identify great writers whose insights and experiences can inspire and inform us about the Catholic faith and help connect people to God and each other. A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, she is married, and loves to cook, garden, read books, and entertain family and friends.