Synopsis of Love and Do What You Want by Scott A. Warren

Love and Do What You Want is a passionate theological manifesto that invites readers—Christian, non-Christian, and the spiritually disillusioned alike—to reconsider the meaning of true faith, freedom, and divine purpose. Inspired by the provocative phrase from St. Augustine, the book dismantles religious legalism and cultural relativism, aiming to recover the essence of authentic Christianity: a loving relationship with God rooted in freedom, not rule-following.

Central Thesis

At the heart of the book lies a striking paradox: the freedom to "do what you want" becomes holy when your life is shaped by love for God. Warren contends that when a person truly loves God, their desires are transformed and aligned with God's will—making rigid obedience unnecessary. True Christianity, he argues, is not about conforming to institutional rules but about living in spiritual intimacy and supernatural freedom.

Major Themes

The Failure of Religion and Rebellion Alike

Warren critiques both legalistic religion and godless self-indulgence as dead ends. Religious people often chase salvation through outward behavior, while secular people reject God's moral order altogether. Neither approach deals adequately with sin or the longing for purpose.

God’s Nature and Holiness

God is not a magnified human or an impersonal force—He is absolute purity, or "holiness." This holiness is not just a moral standard but the very substance of God's being. Righteousness flows from being aligned with His nature; rebellion leads to separation and death.

The Gift of Free Will

Warren presents a strong theological defense of free will. God, desiring a loving relationship with humans, gave them real freedom to choose—even at the cost of allowing sin. This freedom is the basis of authentic love and makes faith possible.

Satan’s Rebellion and Human Fall

The narrative of Lucifer’s fall and humanity’s temptation in Eden is dramatized in vivid, almost mythic scenes. Warren explores how Satan, cast from heaven, manipulated Adam and Eve into surrendering their authority. This act transferred dominion over the earth from humans to Satan.

Death as Separation from Purpose

The "wages of sin" are death—not just physical death, but spiritual disconnection and a loss of purpose. Warren breaks down the human composition (body, soul, spirit) to explain how each part suffers death through sin. Yet the message is not one of despair—it prepares the ground for a message of restoration.

Created for Intimacy and Rule

Humanity was designed not as subjects of a distant deity but as co-rulers and lovers of God. We were meant to reflect God, represent Him, and steward His creation. Sin marred that image, but the desire of God for unity with His creation remains.

Audience

The book is explicitly written for those who feel spiritually broken, confused, or disillusioned—whether they are weary Christians or skeptical seekers. Warren cautions that it may be a difficult read for the proud, the legalistic, or those entrenched in fundamentalism. His tone is often personal, confessional, and passionate.

Style and Approach

Warren blends biblical exposition with personal narrative, allegorical storytelling, and direct appeals to the reader’s conscience. His writing is bold and unflinching, intentionally confrontational at times, and heavily focused on theological clarity without denominational loyalty. While not a traditional academic theologian, he writes with strong conviction and aims for spiritual awakening rather than doctrinal debate.

Conclusion

Love and Do What You Want is a call to radical freedom rooted in divine love. It rejects shallow religiosity and modern spiritual apathy in favor of a restored relationship with a holy and personal God. For those who know they’ve fallen short but still yearn for truth, purpose, and healing, Warren offers both challenge and hope. The path forward, he argues, begins with love—and from there, you may do what you want.