Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace

Have you ever wondered what is missing in our culture? In our churches? In our workplaces? In our homes? In our "selves"? Volf offers a compelling diagnosis for one of modern culture's most significant and serious problems. I dare anyone to read this book and walk away unchanged. At the very least it will change your perspective, at best it may change your life.

Volf does an incredible service for the church in writing this. He is neither preachy nor condescending, but is thoughtful, articulate and weaves together a beautiful theology of forgiveness. This book fills a large gap in the thought and reflection of the church in America, and deserves careful attention to anyone wishing to follow Jesus.

As far as understanding the nature and power of forgiveness, this was a paradigm shifter for me. More importantly, it moved me to action, literally becoming a catalyst for mending, what was at the time, a seriously damaged relationship. I have not read a better book on the subject. Volf's a deep thinker, but he doesn't have his head in the sand. He writes from a place of humility and grace. And his understanding of the Gospel and what it makes us capable of becoming is so illuminating and life-giving. I hope I don't sound too enamored with the man, but his insights have proven to be very wise. I feel that I am in his debt.

This is a primer on the most gracious acts we can participate in: giving and forgiving. It is for Christians as well as those of other faiths or even no faith. The author sets out to explain first who is God and explains the difference between God's reality and his image. He then "...examines how to conceive of and live out two basic human practices, giving and forgiving." Dr. Volf admits this is not a scholarly book, but says that "Most books I write, I write for myself, as s spiritual exercise almost." I found it a thought provoking study that requires contemplation rather than a quick fifteen minutes of reading before bedtime. I also see it as a basis for a Bible study class resulting in endless interesting discussions. While Bible verse references are frequent, the author refers to the classics in literature as well as examples from movies. This book is not stuck in the stories of 2000 years ago, but in the reality of our times as well as those of Jesus. Through each chapter the author defines the differences between God's acts of giving and our own, as well the differences in how we forgive. Early on he states with authority that "Faith is the first part of the bridge from self-centeredness to generosity." Dr. Volf's explanations provide a clarity which had me shaking my head in understanding many times. We all know it is good to give a gift, but as the author says, "When a gift is given, life becomes extraordinary because God's own gift giving flows through the giver." This is a perspective I hadn't considered, but it feels like the sun rising on a new day. He goes on to address the question of why forgiveness is required and says it is a "...special kind of gift." He is not unrealistic and acknowledges how difficult it is. Examples from his own family show that it can be done, even in the most difficult situations. We can only hope to learn to forgive half as well as his parents did. I challenge you to undertake the study of this subject. Give yourself the gift of knowledge and understanding, which will benefit those around you. Dr. Volf, Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School, is a native of Croatia. He is the author ten books, including "Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness and Reconciliation" which won the 2002 Grawemeyer Award in Religion. "Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace" was commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Official 2006 Lent Book.

In this practical and profound book, Volf gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it means for us as Christians to forgive those who have wronged us. Simply put as he states in his book, "We forgive because God forgives. We forgive as God forgives. We forgive by echoing God's forgiveness." While this is one of those deceptively simple lessons that takes me a minute to learn but a lifetime to master, Volf has given his fellow Christian brothers and sisters some tools to get us started on this journey toward reconciliation.