What is grace? And more important, what difference do the "comfortable words" of grace make in the lives of everyday people? These are the questions to which Paul F. M. Zahl has devoted his life, and this book is a collection of essays written in honor of him that seeks to answer these great questions. From literary theory to exegesis to systematic theology, these essays are representative of the breadth and depth of the influence Dr. Zahl has had on a variety of scholars, and reflect his emphasis on the relationship between theology as an academic discipline and the pastoral impact of "one-way love" on everyday people. Contributors include: C. FitzSimons Allison, Todd Brewer, George Carey, James D. G. Dunn, Susan G. Eastman, Mark Mattes, Geiko Müller-Farenholz, Justin S. Holcomb, John D. Koch Jr., Lauren Larkin, Jonathan A. Linebaugh, Jürgen Moltmann, Heinz-Dieter Neef, J. Ashley Null, Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Dylan D. Potter, Justyn Terry, Tullian Tchividjian, Jonathan K. M. Wong, Paul F. M. Zahl, and Simeon Zahl.
"If there is no greater blessing than the forgiveness of sins, then there is no greater ministry than that to which Paul Zahl has dedicated his life. This collection of remarkable essays is a fitting tribute to a great friend and an indefatigable evangelist, in the best sense of that word."
--Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary California
"Paul Zahl has grown a community around him whose appreciation is poured out in these remarkable essays, which not only describe but give words of comfort for troubled souls. Theology can still be a living fountain, so behold in these words what surprises God gives to the unexpecting and undeserving."
--Steven D. Paulson, Luther Seminary
"Is there anything more destabilizing, threatening, and dangerous than grace and all the doctrines that surround it? So beware, gentle reader: you are about to enter into a minefield; step too far left or right and you'll be blown up by one heresy or another. Walk the straight and narrow path of law and gospel and you will find great comfort in these essays, which honor a man who has helped so many of us remember the dangerous comfort of grace."
--Mark Galli, editor, Christianity Today
Todd Brewer is a doctoral candidate in New Testament at Durham University in Durham, England.
John D Koch Jr. is a doctoral candidate in Systematic theology at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin.
