Like other politicians Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was reluctant to be interviewed for Greg Sheridan's book on religion but when he did above all he talked about love.
The Prime Minister launched The Australian Foreign Editor's book God is Good For You, which makes an argument for Christianity in the modern world, at NSW Parliament on Friday with the pair having met at university almost 40 years ago.
While introducing the Prime Minister, The Australian's Editor-in-Chief Paul Whittaker told the crowd how Mr Turnbull's interview for the book lead to a surprising break from character.
"The Prime Minister seldom talks about religious belief in his public announcements," Mr Whittaker said.
"But he frequently talks of love and according to Greg uses the word more often than any previous prime minister. That of course in itself is remarkable because you'd hardly say love is a defining characteristic of Australian politics."
When officially launching the book Mr Turnbull explained how he views the tie between love and faith.
"God is love. That is ultimately the centre of the message, whether of the divine message, whether it is in the old testament, Torah or whether it is in the new testament," Mr Turnbull said.
"Whether it was written in Hebrew or in Greek - it is the message, it is the divine message, of all times and all ages.
"At the heart of faith is a mystery and that's why it's so important. That is why the centre is love."
Mr Sheridan said he was "tremendously grateful" for the time of the Prime Minister and other politicians interviewed for the book including former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley and senator Kristina Keneally.
He said the prime minister like other politicians were weary to be interviewed on the topic.
"I felt like I was like dentist inflicting pain on them for their own good," Mr Sheridan said.
"But that's what journalists do isn't it, really, they inflict pain on politicians routinely for the greater good."
Australian Associated Press
