On today his 60th birthday, we are proud to announce the future publication of a collection of essays in celebration of the life and ministry of Paul F.M. Zahl. Tentatively titled Comfortable Words: Essays in Honor of Paul F. M. Zahl, this book is testimony to the message of the unmerited grace of God that Paul has passionately and consistently articulated throughout his entire career. For Paul, the essence of Christianity consists in the power of this grace to create that which the law could never do. It is the act of one-way love toward unworthy sinners without any hint of judgment.
So whether it’s his thought-provoking books, his many inspiring sermons, or his eclectic podcasts, Paul has sparked reflection and rumination among just about everyone that has come into contact with his thought. This book reflects the various ways in which his students, peers and teachers have all engaged with Paul’s pastoral and theological concerns. Edited by Todd Brewer and J.D. Koch, Comfortable Words will contain contributions by:
FitzSimons Allison, Todd Brewer, George Carey, James D.G. Dunn, Susan Eastman, Geiko Müeller-Fahrenholz, Justin Holcomb, J.D. Koch, Lauren Larkin, Jonathan Linebaugh, Mark Mattes, Jürgen Moltmann, Heinz-Dieter Neef, J. Ashley Null, Ray Ortlund, Dylan Potter, Justyn Terry, Jonathan Wong, and Simeon Zahl.
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Finally, today at Mockingbird we are calling this the official “PZ Day” (we debated between that and “Day of the Lepus”:) We will have new posts planned throughout the day written by some of Paul’s former students to celebrate Paul’s birthday – you only turn 60 once! Each will include a memorable quotation from Paul and a brief reflection.
COMMENTS
20 responses to “Announcing “Comfortable Words: Essays in Honor of Paul F.M. Zahl””
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Long live PZ!
I just can’t get enough of PZ 🙂 Anytime I put him on for others, their mouths just drop
So few get grace like PZ. God, please use this collection of essays to drag him back onto the stage.
Happy Birthday Paul! So grateful for you ministry and influence in my life and in the life of so many who are bearing great fruit for the kingdom!
Happy Birthday Paul!! I thought I was scale free; then I read Grace in Practice.
Happy Birthday Paul,may you find continued Sabbath rest.I so appreciate the skeleton key(GRACE) that you were given to unlock my chains FOREVER!!! I love you and Mary and treasure the times we have spent together.
Thank you PZ! You probably don’t remember me from the Pensacola Conference but it was truly ground breaking for me.
Happy Birthday!
I loved “Grace in Practise”
Happy Birthday, PZ! Thanks for your love and your eye-opening impact on me and so many. And thanks for digging John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, and “A Love Supreme” (fond memories of our first conversation).
Happy Birthday, Paul… and thanks for introducing me to the magic which is Irvin S. Cobb (“A Beautiful Evening” etc.)… Grace in Practice… The Zahl Files… and those amazing, crazed, endearing, and wonder filled podcasts. You are the shizz.
Happy Day, Paul!
And love to you, you little sinner.
St. Paula
Happy birthday, Paul! Let me join the throng who you touched and inspired. With fond memories from my internship at the Advent, Kristi (Cobb) Iachetta
Happy Birthday, Paul!
PZ at 60!
Such a dizzying pace you set while at the Advent. We could barely finish processing the sermon (or just recover from the various riffs they contained) before diving in deep in the Dean’s class. Your great themes of Law vs Grace, The Gospel vs the Church…were wonderful framework for us to hang our studies upon. The Gospel broke through this cold heart under your watch. Thank you for your role in that and the ministry you shared with us.
Happy birthday PZ! Thank you for being an instrument of grace in my life.
“We are family”
-Sister Sledge
Happy (belated) Birthday, Herr Zahl! thank you for your passion for and (consistent!) preaching of the Gospel message!
Dear Paul, belated but deeply felt congratulations on your birthday. Workin it out in the everyday of common life and wondering how you are. Blessings, sam+
A little ditty by Don Henley “the heart of the matter” comes to mind ….my favorite a Capella rendition you did from the pulpit has never left me….and I thank you for it….wishing you many happy returns of the day ! With love M.E.McK.