Miroslav Volf

Miroslav Volf, a Yale professor and theologian, dives deep into the essence of a fulfilling life. He critiques the conventional views of individualism, arguing for the vital role of community in our quest for self-actualization. Volf shares poignant stories, including a moving account of resilience amidst despair, illustrating how hope can thrive even in darkness. The conversation also highlights the transformative power of mutual support and the importance of cherishing the present in crafting a meaningful life.

Miroslav Volf, a Yale theologian and author of "The Cost of Ambition," dives into pressing societal issues. He explores the alarming rise of single fathers by choice, revealing changing family dynamics and the emotional complexities of modern parenthood. Volf also critiques the damaging effects of a competitive culture on Christian values, arguing that ambition often leads to unhealthy comparisons. Additionally, he reflects on the moral implications of gun violence, challenging listeners to engage more thoughtfully with societal issues.

Miroslav Volf, a leading Croatian theologian and Yale professor, discusses the true cost of ambition. He delves into how the pursuit of success can strain personal identity and relationships. Volf critiques the competitive nature of society, likening it to the 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team, where ambition sometimes overshadows empathy. He emphasizes the importance of unconditional love, urging listeners to reflect on the balance between striving for excellence and cultivating a more inclusive community.

In this enlightening discussion, Miroslav Volf, a theologian specializing in forgiveness, shares personal insights shaped by his family's response to tragedy. Joined by Laurie Santos, a Yale psychologist, they explore forgiveness not just as a duty, but as a liberating practice that creates space for healing. Volf emphasizes the transformative power of viewing forgiveness as a gift, while contrasting it with conventional attitudes toward justice and resentment. Together, they illuminate how forgiveness can profoundly impact personal well-being and strengthen communal bonds.

Miroslav Volf and Pamela Ebstyne King discuss God's mission to make the world His home, church's need for ministry models, the concept of dynamic stabilization in modern society, contrasting realms of Babylon and New Jerusalem, preparing Earth for God's arrival, embracing identity and mission in God's love, and the mandate of fullness in Christian life.

Miroslav Volf, a renowned theologian from Yale and author of 'Life Worth Living,' explores how to define a life of purpose. He dives into the internal struggle between good and evil and the impact of our choices on personal fulfillment. Volf discusses the interplay of agency against societal pressures, emphasizing meaningful connections over fleeting validation. He challenges the culture of comparison and reflects on the ethical dilemma surrounding life extension, encouraging listeners to prioritize true happiness and moral integrity.

Religious extremism drives some of the most intractable conflicts around the world. Our guest knows this shadow side of the Christian faith in his personal history. We’ll speak about what goes wrong when religion turns violent, and why, he believes, the cure for religious zealotry is not less religion but more religion — or rather stronger and more intelligent practices of faith. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Miroslav Volf, a prominent theologian from Yale Divinity School, offers profound insights into love and power by critiquing Nietzsche's philosophy. He argues that Nietzsche's will to power leads to endless striving and contempt, while Jesus's teachings champion unconditional love that accepts others despite their flaws. Volf contrasts human relationships through the lenses of suffering and growth, emphasizing the need for a transformative love amidst life's challenges. He also discusses theological distinctions, urging a shift towards love that fosters genuine connections.

As you listen today, would you consider helping the Yale Center for Faith & Culture meet a $10,000 matching challenge for  2024 podcast production? visit faith.yale.edu/give to donate today."Christians are called to collaborate without compromise and to critique without dualism." (N.T. Wright, from today's episode)What better way to secure the greatness of your political state (or maybe political party) than to invoke the name of God as being uniquely supportive of your team? It brings a sickening and divisive new meaning to Romans 8:31—”If God is for us, who can be against us?” In this episode, revered New Testament scholar N.T. Wright joins Miroslav Volf to discuss Monotheism, Nationalism, & Violence. Together they reflect on the history and current realities of what happens when these three elements converge. The conversation was inspired by N.T. Wright's response to a short digital booklet by Miroslav Volf entitled Monotheism, Nationalism, & Violence: 25 Theses, which is available for download at faith.yale.edu.Click here to download Monotheism, Nationalism, & Violence: 25 Theses, a short digital booklet by Miroslav Volf, via faith.yale.edu.“In this essay, written in form of 25 interlocking theses, I approach the problem of religiously motivated or legitimized violence by exploring the relation between monotheism and nationalism. The first is allegedly the most violent of all forms of religion and the second one of the most violent forms of political arrangements, especially when it is cut loose from universal moral commitment and tied to some form of tribal identity (“exclusive nationalism”). I argue that monotheism is a universalist creed and that it is compatible only with inclusive nationalism, a nationalism that is a form of special relations framed by a universal moral code. When monotheism is aligned with exclusive nationalism—when it becomes a “political religion” aligned with exclusivist nationalism—monotheism betrays its universality, a feature which lies at its very core, and morphs into violence, generating and legitimizing henotheism: our god of our nation in contrast and competition to other nations with their gods. Alternatively, if monotheism keeps its universality while associated as political religion with exclusive nationalism it will tend to underwrite dreams of nationalist imperialism: our god and our nation as masters of the world.”Show NotesHelp the Yale Center for Faith & Culture meet a $10,000 matching challenge for podcast production; visit faith.yale.edu/give to donate today.Download Miroslav Volf’s short digital booklet, Monotheism, Nationalism, & Violence: 25 ThesesVolf introduces Monotheism, Nationalism, & Violence“The price monotheism always has to pay for its alliance with exclusive nationalism is the loss of its soul. When monotheism embraces exclusive nationalism, monotheism’s God morphs from the creator and lover of all people and all creatures into a selfish and violent idol of a particular nation.”Instrumentalizing GodWhat is religion anyway?Brent Nongbri, Before Religion: A History of a Modern ConceptMartin Riesenbrot, A Promise of Salvation, A Theory of ReligionChristians were regarded with suspicion, as atheistsWright: “…this leads some to say religion is itself a dangerous and violent thing because it leads to people saying I have this God and he's more important than your God or whatever. And all sorts of violence stem from that. Indeed, one could argue that the Enlightenment's redefinition radical redefinition of the word religion over against its, say, early centuries use, has been part of the problem. But that, that would be perhaps a more polemical thesis.”Religion plays an important role in political society.How did religion work in the ancient world?Is religion a force for evil in society? Working from a secularist paradigm or not?Monotheism revised by ChristologyTwo Christian groups anathematizing each other“Nothing hangs on the word religion.”Ultimate allegiance, and to what?What are the political responsibilities of the state to religion?Naming proper allegianceWright on Jesus and Political Authority in John 19: “In other words, in the famous Romans 13, um, it's not a totalitarian passage, though some have read it like that. But Paul says there is no authority except from God. In other words, there is the one God, but God wants his world to be wisely governed by human authorities. But he will then call them to account. And my favorite passage on that is in John 19, when Jesus is being interviewed by Pontius Pilate. And Pilate says, don't you realize I have the right to have you killed? And Jesus says, and it's extraordinary, think of Johannine theology, that Jesus says this to Pilate. You could have no authority over me unless it was given to you from above and then the corollary is therefore the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin and that's that's a very interesting differentiation which no doubt Pilate couldn't understand at all and of course violence enters in straight away because Pilate's response is to send him off to be crucified.”Polycarp (paraphrased by N.T. Wright): “Now I won't worship your God, but I will respect you enough to honor you if you want to have a conversation about this.”“That one God is doing justice in the world.”Jan Assman: creating the states in which violence in the name of God is possibleBringing in atonement theology“All three monotheisms in some sense affirm the freedom of religion.”Noble ideal of the post-enlightenment world: an inclusive nationalism and inclusive monotheism.Freedom of religionChristianity as trinitarian monotheismRomans 8: Spirit groaningJesus’s cry for derelictionWright: “Collaborate without compromise and to critique without dualism.”Production NotesThis podcast featured N.T. Wright and Miroslav VolfEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie BridgeA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Miroslav Volf and N. T. Wright discuss their faith journeys, church challenges, unity, and cultural influences. They explore the role of prayer in ministry, women's roles in the church, and the concept of costly grace. The conversation highlights the future of the church resting in God's hands.