The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World

Real Relief in a World That Demands Performance and Perfection We could all use a little--or a lot--of relief from the pressures of life. And there is no bigger relief than the grace of God. In The Big Relief , popular author David Zahl spotlights grace as the most important, urgent, and radical contribution Christianity has to offer the world. He helps us understand the beauty and depth of grace, outlining how it provides relief from the guilt, status anxiety, and accelerating demand that characterize so much of modern life. Drawing on the witness of Scripture and a wide variety of contemporary examples, he unpacks the theology of grace in a fresh way, exploring its many fruits--such as freedom, play, surrender, humility, rest, surprise, and joy. Zahl invites us to embrace Christianity as a refuge rather than as a project, a beacon of hope instead of a vehicle of shame, and a harbor of refreshment in a worn-out world. "The central hope (and scandal, and paradox, and challenge) of Christian faith, brought down brilliantly to ground level for all of us weary souls." -- Francis Spufford , author of Unapologetic and Light Perpetual " The Big Relief is more than a good read; it's a breath of fresh air and a burden lifted all at the same time. Zahl calls us to lay down the heavy loads of performance and anxiety and reminds us--once again--that all is grace." -- Hannah Anderson , author of Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit " The Big Relief reminds us that grace is a party, a piñata exploding with God's best candy, a free and never-ending gift. This book just might help you fall back in love with the weirdest, wildest theological concept in all creation." -- Harrison Scott Key , author of How to Stay Married and The World's Largest Man