Plagiarizing Relief

the gift of deabstractification

On Sunday I told a story about a man I know from a book I am half-way through that I borrowed from a High School girl that made me cry—not the girl, the story. I got deep in the story and forgot to reference the author. David Zahl.

David Zahl deabstractifies theology, and I am there for it. He can talk about atonement, justification, imputation, and simul like he is telling stories to people who have never been to church, much less seminary. It is moving. And refreshing. You can get a taste for deabstracification on The Brother’s Zahl podcast.

Last week we were in Minnesota for two weddings, one I officiated (Thalmann) and one I sat in the pews holding back the ugly cry (Wollan). We stayed with the Wollans, our God-family. They are Godparents to our eldest, and we are Godparents to their eldest. I saw three copies of The Big Relief around the house. I asked Lydia, who just finished her Sophomore year, if I could read her copy while I was in town. She allowed it. Emma, in seminary and Luke, just graduated from Wheaton and Pastor Dave all were ready to start a summer family book club with The Big Relief. I want in.

Chapter One brought me to tears. So did Chapter Two. I can’t wait to read the rest of it. I wrote to Zahl,

The Nestingen story is fire.

It brought me back to Luther Seminary 1998 (?). I pulled into Luther as a student who was suspicious. I was always on guard—keen to detect any liberalisms or cheap grace. One day in chapel, the prelude was full organ Bach. Nestingen was sloppy vested, cincture hidden well under the belly (Lutheran farmer style) up in the chancel, obviously enjoying the music, when he ambled to the front and center. No genuflecting, no invocation, no confession! Just pure absolution. First words out of his mouth, “In the name of Christ Jesus, I forgive you all of your sins. Let’s sing hymn number _____.” My pious self was so offended—we didn’t even confess our sins! Then actual repentance started breaking forth in my heart. It even unleashed some tears. Could it be? This one way love would cover my multitude of sins? Even unconfessed? His kindness led me to repentance (Romans 2.4).

Thank God for Jim and Gerhard and the others who preached the gospel to me in those days—I thought I was the last one who needed to be converted, but I was so joyfully wrong!

And, thank you for The Big Relief!

I told the Nestingen story on Sunday. And forgot to give cred to Zahl. I hope he can forgive me (imputation, atonement, absolution, and simul).

Here is the message: