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

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Arguing that Christians are called to imitate God's generosity, Volf, a theology professor at Yale Divinity School and Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, explores what that looks like in the area of giving and forgiving. Volf relies heavily on Martin Luther's writings in this accessible book that demonstrates how to build "a bridge from self-centeredness to generosity." The first half of the book, on giving, and the second half, on forgiveness, are divided by a short interlude that tries to connect the two parts. While there is a relationship between the two, this book might have been more successful as two separate volumes. Nonetheless, Volf's thinking and writing are lucid and instructive. He eschews pop psychology, relying instead on biblical, ethical and theological understandings of God's generosity. Volf never shies away from the difficult personal and communal issues that giving and forgiving pose; the result is a practical and hopeful resource for those struggling to understand their responsibilities in these areas. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote the foreword.
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Product Description

An exploration of how we can be transformed by the God who gives abundantly and who forgives unconditionally.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310265746
• ISBN-13: 978-0310265740
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primer for Christians, Other Faiths or Even No Faith, May 15, 2006

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

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.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book I've Read on the Subject of Forgiveness, October 24, 2006

By	Thomas E. Ward Jr. (Delaware, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful lessons from a man who's walked the walk, March 20, 2006

By	Becky Garrison "Religious Satirist" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.