Agape

Agape Law seems in many ways to be an oxymoron. In the writings of Paul the Apostle, the word 'agape' is used as a contrast to the word 'law'. One could of course argue that the word 'law' in Paul refers to the law of Judaism and that the word 'agape' then refers to the law of the early Christian church. However, as soon as the expressions of Agape, viz. to be kind, compassionate, caring and so forth, become compulsory or legally binding, the essential Pauline notion of Agape is diminished. Agape is an attitude towards others which is not obligatory. One chooses that attitude. Paul does imply that Christians "must have this attitude which is in Christ" but I do not think we need to make much of the 'must'.