We live in a fearful, anxiety-driven age where the problems and challenges of the world, which come to us daily by news feed, far outstrip our abilities to respond. This sense of desperation leads to discord and violence: from bitter, cutting remarks to the atrocities of war; from pervasive racism to underhanded discrimination. And it contributes to our current, peace-bankrupt social discourse, leading to patterns of dismissing, dividing from, condemning, or hating people. Conversation partners are no longer wrong or misinformed, they are evil: dehumanized and made objects of ridicule.
But what if the root of these problems is not found out there, in my dumb, evil friend, family member or colleague at work, but in here–in my mind, heart, thought-life, and emotions, in my own desire to win at all costs.
In Deep Peace, Todd Hunter analyzes the anxiety and desperation of our current moment and leads readers to receive the peace of Jesus and experience the deep wholeness that comes from the peace of God. He articulates a biblical framework for peace and provides practices to help Christians value and seek peace, becoming people of peace in ordinary life. Hunter reveals the heart issues from which these problems arise and introduces spiritual practices for becoming different sorts of people and different kinds of communities.
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‘Deep Peace plunges us into the subterranean chambers of a peace-saturated heart and helps us wrestle with the challenging social issues of justice for the sake of a needy world. I highly recommend this book.’ — Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline
‘Todd Hunter takes aim at our psyches and our consciences with a biblical word that goes far beyond a calmed nervous system or a Zenlike tranquility. This book will help us find peace in these tumultuous times, even with our frenetic schedules.’ — Russell Moore, Christianity Today
‘Far from offering a quietist, self-help approach to curing anxiety, Deep Peace is filled with earthy wisdom that comes from a lifetime of following Christ and pastoring and teaching the church. I recommend it to all who seek to know the God of peace.’ — Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary
‘Peace is not about withdrawal from the world; it is not sanctified inaction. It is the posture from which we engage the world confident in the goodness of God. For those looking for spiritual resources to lead them through this fractured moment, I highly recommend this book.’ — Esau McCaulley, assistant professor of New Testament, Wheaton College
‘I am so pleased that Todd Hunter has written this book when so many are crying out for peace between nations, between people, and in the human heart.’ — Nicky Gumbel, vicar, Holy Trinity Brompton, and pioneer of The Alpha Course
‘I am thrilled with Todd Hunter’s new book! It maps out such a clear path to inner and outer peace with ‘doable, guilt-free spiritual practices’ for growing as persons of peace who bring peace to the world we share together.’ — Ruth Haley Barton, founder, Transforming Center, and author of Sacred Rhythms
‘In a world where social media does all it can to reconfigure our brains into consumers of outrage, Bishop Todd Hunter calls us to peace with God, with self, and with others. Slow down, give peace a chance, and watch this wise leader set a new pace for peace.’ — Rev. Canon Dr. Scot McKnight, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
‘This book is as vital as it is timely, offering a practical and spiritual guide to recenter believers in the peace of Christ–a peace that loves kindness, seeks justice, and renounces all fear.’ — Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, professor, Calvin University, and author of Jesus and John Wayne