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About the Guest:

Prof Miroslav Volf is a distinguished theologian and the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School, where he directs the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. Originally from Croatia, Volf has had a significant impact in theological circles through his focus on identity, otherness, and reconciliation. He is best known for his acclaimed book Exclusion and Embrace, which Christianity Today named one of the 100 most influential religious books of the twentieth century. Volf has also served as an advisor to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the White House.

Key Takeaways:

• Ambition is a multifaceted concept, often viewed as both a virtue and a vice across history and cultures.
• Miroslav Volf emphasises the toxicity of comparing oneself to others and how striving for excellence should surpass endeavors for superiority.
• The importance of intrinsic value over societal metrics in measuring success and personal worth is underscored.
• Biblical narratives, such as those in Philippians and the Gospels, highlight the transformative power of purpose-driven ambition for God's glory.
• The cultural portrayal of ambition, exemplified by classic literature and modern TV series, calls for a reflective look at our own motivations and societal structures.

Notable Quotes:

1. "God's love is not a generic thing thrown over the world; it remembers the specificity of the one."
2. "Each of us has a generic nature, but each of us has also a specific nature."
3. "Ambition with a pious swoosh can easily become selfish ambition if not directed carefully."
4. "The widow's two coins were worth more than the great sums of the rich; she gave everything."
5. "Our society often measures success quantitatively, but Jesus looked at the heart, the interior life."

Resources:

• Miroslav Volf's Book: The Cost of Ambition
• Miroslav Volf's Book: Exclusion and Embrace