The Scandal of Giving and Forgiving / Miroslav Volf

The Scandal of Giving and Forgiving / Miroslav Volf

Author: Matthew Croasmun, Ryan McAnnally-Linz, Drew Collins, Miroslav Volf, Evan Rosa, Macie Bridge February 26, 2025 Duration: 32:04
It’s easy to forget how utterly scandalous the concepts of grace and forgiveness are. Grace is an absolutely unmerited, undeserved benevolence. Forgiveness is an intentional miscarriage of retributive justice, ignoring of the wrong by a wrongdoer. In Miroslav Volf’s understanding, forgiveness “decouples the deed from the doer.” Today’s episode features some highlights from Miroslav’s personal reflections about each chapter of his book *Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace*, including his thoughts about one of the most painful moments in his family’s history, the death of his 5-year-old brother Daniel when Miroslav was just a small boy. *Free of Charge* was published in 2006, and we just released a 10-video curriculum series through [faith.yale.edu/free-of-charge](http://faith.yale.edu/free-of-charge). It also includes a 48-page discussion guide with new material to help facilitate not just deeper reflection about giving and forgiving, but a viable, livable path toward these core Christian practices. This episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Tyndale Foundation. Visit tyndale.foundation to learn more. This series is free for Yale Center for Faith & Culture email subscribers. So head over to [faith.yale.edu/free-of-charge](http://faith.yale.edu/free-of-charge) to sign up today. Production Notes - This podcast featured Miroslav Volf - Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa - Hosted by Evan Rosa - Production Assistance by Macie Bridge, Alexa Rollow, Zoë Halaban, Kacie Barrett, and Emily Brookfield - A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about - Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

What does it mean to live well, not just for ourselves but for the world around us? For the Life of the World / Yale Center for Faith & Culture explores this profound question through conversations that blend deep theological insight with sharp cultural analysis. Hosted by scholars and thinkers like Matthew Croasmun, Ryan McAnnally-Linz, Drew Collins, Miroslav Volf, Evan Rosa, and Macie Bridge, each episode delves into the complexities of faith, philosophy, and everyday practice. You’ll hear discussions that move from abstract ideas to tangible guidance, examining how ancient wisdom intersects with modern challenges in society, education, and personal spirituality. This isn’t about easy answers, but about the harder, more rewarding work of discerning what constitutes a flourishing life-for individuals and communities alike. The podcast serves as an audio extension of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture’s mission, offering thoughtful content for anyone curious about how belief shapes and is shaped by culture. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it means to seek a life truly worthy of our shared humanity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

For the Life of the World / Yale Center for Faith & Culture
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