Japanese plaque translated to English?

[Nerfworthy]

I found this plaque in a thrift store. I love any and all things Japanese, and would love to know what this translates to in English! Any help would be appreciated.

 

[lanthas]

神は愛である - God is love
新約聖書 ヨハネ第一4・8 - New testament, 1 John 4:8

 

[Mike Cash]

Boy, it just doesn't get any more Japanese than that, does it?

 

[Nerfworthy]

Wow, that is hysterical! Pretty much the last thing I expected. The letters are actually engraved in the wood, too, not just painted on. I would have never touched this if it was in English, which is very ironic to me. Looks like this will be a good conversational piece when someone asks me what it means. LOL. Thanks so much for the translation!