Who Will Deliver Us?: The Present Power of the Death of Christ

by Paul F.M. Zahl

Examines the meaning for the modern world of Jesus Christ's atonement for the sins of humanity

Genres: Theology, Christian

Paperback

First published February 1, 1985

About the author

The Very Rev. Dr. Paul Francis Matthew Zahl is a retired Episcopal priest. He formerly was rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase, MD, and dean and president of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA.

He studied at Chapel Hill, Harvard, St. John's College (Nottingham), the University of Nottingham, Trinity College (Bristol), Wycliffe Hall (Oxford) and the University of Tubingen, where he received his doctorate in systematic theology in 1994. He has also served as rector of Episcopal churches in Scarborough, NY and Charleston, SC; was Curate of Grace Church in New York City; and was Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Birmingham, AL. He and his wife, Mary, are the parents of three sons, John, David and Simeon.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful discussion of guilt and atonement.

Having read David Zahl's two books, I was curious to read some of his father’s theological work.

[Kyle Dupic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed work on what Christ accomplished at the cross and how that actually meets me in my everyday need.

[Stephen G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise, clear, and compelling look at the atonement of Jesus Christ. Zahl takes a very familiar concept to Christians, Christ died for our sins, and reveals how it is the answer to our greatest fears. He provides very helpful definitions of key theological terms like the law, atonement, justification by faith, imputation, etc. He shows how the solutions we seek outside of the atonement ultimately fail. I would recommend this book to any Christian and those who may not be Christian but are open to considering the unique message of the gospel of Christ.

[Leslie Fanchon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"For imputation to be received, honesty is required. Although it is an overused word today, honesty is a fitting synonym for what the Bible calls repentance. Honesty is truth-telling about our experience that has given up on strategies of flight, appeasement or confrontation. Honesty means facing a tragic situation. " p 73

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

[Cindy Marsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book except for one serious theological problem -- the suggestion that God had to atone for His own making the world imperfect, as if it were a mistake. I read up on some other theologians on this idea, and I decided to go with the judgment that Zahl gets most everything right, but not this. So with that caveat, I recommend this as a wonderful exploration of the nature of Christ's sacrifice for us.

[Pedro Pamplona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Livro fraquinho. As posições são apresentadas sem profundidade e algumas vezes até sem muito sentido. As respostas são aguadas e muitas vezes parece que cada um adoraria da maneira do outro. Até em posições totalmente diferentes as repostas são mais politicamente corretas. Geralmente esses livros de debates são bons, mas esse não é o caso. Creio que a causa da falta de qualidade se deu pela escolha dos participantes. Não conhecia nenhum, mas com certeza tem gente melhor pra falar desse tema.

[Tandi Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gospel is presented from a more mainstream and philosophical standpoint. From a counseling standpoint, this is a valuable asset. Zahl digs deep to reach the true source of pain, anger, and fear, and how the Cross specifically deals with those things. Short and powerful read.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with a heavy counseling approach to it (you will feel like you are laying on a couch talking about your mother). The money chapter, which gets 5 stars on its own, is the "Christ Died for our Sins" chapter. The book hinges on this chapter really, and left me wanting more of this.

[Anne Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read but very powerful. The author really gets people and understands where our hope lies!