Where does the concept of "unconditional love toward others" come from?
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The short answer: universal atonement. It is a doctrine which, as far as I can tell, has been systematically edged out of the western church as the doctrines of Calvinism have become the de facto standard. Personally, my beliefs reflect a bit of each of Calvinism and Arminianism. Universal atonement is a fundamental part of the Arminian system and has a LOT of strong support in scripture.
Please don't confuse it, though, with universal reconciliation. Universal atonement refers to the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for all men. We have been forgiven and must therefore repent and believe (ie. turn from our sins and live by faith) in order that God might consider us reconciled through his son. Universal reconciliation is the more radical view that all will be saved due to God's great 'love.'
When you put your Arminian hat on, verses like John 3:16 look quite a bit different. God so loved the world to give his only son... but he also fought pretty ferociously with that same world when he arrived. Particularly with the religious leaders of the day. Did God love those men and wish them to come to repentance? I believe so. Did he make blind their eyes and deaf their ears that they could not hear and repent? I believe he did that too.
'Unconditional love' is a pretty broad and ill-defined notion that our society loves to throw around. In the political arena especially, we worship the idea of acceptance and inclusion of all orientations and creeds. It seems to me that it stems from the radicalized view of God's love and grace rather than the time-honored doctrine by which the church used to abide. Can I love those people thanks to the example God has given me on the cross? Absolutely. Do I need to consider all people to be co-laborers and fellow heirs of our glorious inheritance? Not for a moment.
P.S. I just got that radio soundbyte to play on my computer. Crap like that is NOT biblical teaching. It's just a bunch of wishy-washy feel-good nonsense to keep you tithing and/or buying their books ;) Check out a guy named Paul Washer for more critical commentary on the state of the modern church. Just remember that he's a pretty hard-core Calvinist so I don't agree with everything he says.
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I would submit that the numerous times God forgave Israel, the love he expressed to David even after sinning, and ultimately the very fact that a plan of salvation was established from the very beginning, all point to and demonstrate unconditional love
The need of repentance and "process", assuming you're speaking of Titus 3:4-7, is that plan of salvation in which demonstrated/demonstrates unconditional love.
Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Psalms 78:36-38
But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.
Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
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Where does the concept of “unconditional love toward others” come from?
There are various levels in the expression of love.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
At the other extreme we have love for enemies.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
We have the example of the love God has for the whole world.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
While the universal love of God is seen in the verse above, the granting of eternal life is on the “condition” of belief.
The word “unconditional” may have been originally selected to emphasize the universality of love, however, it also can carry with it a sense of inhibited discernment and a withholding of prudence that may have been originally not intended.
It is possible to misrepresent the character of God by an emphasis one just one attribute. Some preachers emphasize a sort of hellfire and brimstone presentation of God that does not fully present his mercy and love. Others present God as a sort of doddering old grandfather who gushes unrestrained affection.
The phrase has an intrinsic imprecision that allows for an emotional sensation of unrestricted acceptance, indulgence, and tolerance. The use of the phrase “unconditional love” may originate with those who want to present God as one who will not object to sin. It may also originate with those who suggest that Christians also resist objecting to sin.
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