For the Life of the World / Yale Center for Faith & Culture The Scandal of Giving and Forgiving / Miroslav Volf
Feb 26, 2025
Miroslav Volf, a renowned theologian and author of *Free of Charge*, dives into the scandalous nature of grace and forgiveness. He explores how forgiveness decouples the deed from the doer, challenging traditional retributive justice. Volf shares personal reflections on loss, particularly the death of his brother, and highlights the transformative power of giving. He emphasizes that true generosity should be guided by the proximity of need and capacity, urging listeners to embrace a life of selfless giving rooted in trust and faith.
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Forgiveness Decouples Deed From Doer
- Christian forgiveness decouples the deed from the doer by echoing Christ’s reconciling self-giving.
- That decoupling is scandalous because it opposes retributive cultural instincts.
Giving As Fulfillment Not Loss
- Giving is additive and fulfills our true human being rather than merely depleting us.
- Volf links this to God as giver, arguing life’s foundation is a gift economy, not a struggle for dominance.
Give According To Need And Capacity
- Give according to your proximity to the need and the resources you actually have.
- Offer gifts that fit recipients so they can recognize and receive them well.
