Deep Peace: Finding Calm in a World of Conflict and Anxiety

by Todd D. Hunter

Overview

Experience deep wholeness in your life that springs forth from the peace of God.

We live in a fearful, anxiety-driven age where the problems and challenges of the world assault us from every direction and every media source, and they far exceed our abilities to respond to them. The sense of desperation that often comes of this leads to discord and violence: from bitter, cutting remarks to the atrocities of war; from pervasive racism to knee-jerk micro-aggressions. It contributes to our current, peace-bankrupt social discourse, leading to patterns of dismissing, dividing from, condemning, or hating people.

But what if the root of these problems is not found out there, in the situations, the information or misinformation of what's happening in the world? What if they come from here: in our minds, hearts, thought-life, and emotions?

In Deep Peace, Todd Hunter, founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, analyzes the anxiety and desperation of our current moment and brings it before a biblical framework of profound peace. This book provides practices to help Christians value and actively seek peace, becoming people of reconciliation in ordinary life. Deep Peace:

• Uncovers the ten things that are most harmful to peace in a person's life.
• Unpacks the "Trinity of Peace" found in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and how we can find rest in each person of the Trinity.
• Reveals spiritual practices that will teach you how to pursue an inner calm and become the kind of person that meets conflict with love and renounces fear.

Deep Peace is a timely benediction that offers a practical and spiritual guide to recenter believers in the peace of Christ.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310120438
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	09/21/2021
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	626,220
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dr. Todd Hunter is the founding bishop of The Anglican Diocese, Churches for the Sake of Others. He is a past president of Alpha USA and former national director for the Association of Vineyard Churches. An adjunct professor at several seminaries, he is author of Christianity Beyond Belief, Giving Church Another Chance, The Outsider Interviews, The Accidental Anglican, Our Favorite Sins, and Our Character at Work.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Ten Peace Killers

1 Peace Killers: Fear, Anger, Aggression, Attachments 11

2 Peace Killers: Pain, Unanswered Prayer, Self- Centeredness 20

3 Peace Killers: Life Online, Obsession with Failure, Fear of Missing Out 30

A Trinity of Peace

4 The God of Peace 43

5 The Peace of God's Kingdom 54

6 Choosing Peace with God 66

7 An Apprentice to Jesus in Peace 86

8 The Jesus of Justice, Mercy, and Humility 100

9 The Spirit of Peace 114

10 The Spirit of the Lord's Favor 121

Peace Within

11 Cultivating a Mellow Heart 137

12 Why So Anxious, O My Soul? 144

13 Peace for an Anxious Mind 155

Peace with Others

14 Rejecting Fear-Based Hostility 167

15 Loving the Other 177

16 Pursuing Peace with Others 190

Practicing Peace

17 Welcoming Peace 201

18 Peace Builders: Sabbath and Poverty of Spirit 208

19 Peace in Social Relations 218

20 Peace in Trials and Temptations 232

Conclusion 239

Dear Reader 248

Grateful Acknowledgments 249

Notes 251

Editorial Reviews

'It's been said in the past 3,400 years, humans have experienced global peace for just 268 of them. Bishop Todd Hunter addresses many of the reasons why peace has been elusive, where it flows from, and how we can move toward it.'

AJ Sherrill

'The peace Todd Hunter opens up for us is not merely individual, but corporate; not merely personal, but prophetic; not merely isolation from a culture in conflict, but full engagement in the world. This is a timely and helpful book as we navigate the peculiar challenges of what it means to embody God's peace in this cultural moment.'

Timothy C. Tennent

'Deep Peace draws with wisdom and compassion the ways Jesus can still our individual and collective storms and give us peace for life in the midst of the storms.'

Mark Labberton

'This deep and moving book shows us how to receive and move through the world with transformative peace—a true gift that will speak to and still many anxious hearts.'

Jon Tyson

'Peace is a dovetailing dove that connects spares and splits, heals scars and sores, and nests them into constellations of glowing stars and glorious songs of harmonious difference. This book deserves to sunbathe in every bookshop window and occupy pride of place on every theology shelf.'

Leonard Sweet

'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.'

author of Celebration of Discipline Richard J. Foster

'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.'

Christianity Today Russell Moore

'As leaders we can't even begin to manage the anxiety and fear in the people we lead when we don't know how to manage it in ourselves. Deep Peace offers a hopeful vision of life that is a breath of fresh air for all of us trying to live with hope in a busy world.'

Jay Pathak

'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

'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

'Deep Peace invites readers on a journey to discover the ultimate path to the biblical concept of peace—shalom. My prayer as you read Todd Hunter's book is that your heart will be comforted by the God of all peace and that the Spirit of God will use you to be a bearer of peace to a troubled world.'

Wheaton College Ed Stetzer

'With patient, expansive, and incisive reflections, Bishop Todd Hunter shows us the possibility of living in the peace we were made for. In an age of deep anxiety, this book is a true gift.'

Rich Villodas

'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.'

Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordin Tish Harrison Warren

'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 Mc Knight

'Deep Peace is broad in its coverage, deep in its insight, and practical in its wisdom. It is calming medicine for the soul, and I highly recommend it.'

J. P. Moreland

'At a time of deep conflict between warring ideologies and racial and generational tensions—both inside and outside the church—the time is right for this important book.'

Gary W. Moon

'I cannot imagine a timelier book than this one for our anxious and troubled age. This is the book for the fearful, the worried, the angry, the lonely, the truculent, egotistical, disconsolate, and disoriented—which all of us are at some point in our lives. It deserves to be read prayerfully.'

W. David O. Taylor

'In an anxious and divided world, Bishop Todd Hunter comes alongside us with gentleness and wisdom. Bringing his considerable experience as both a leader and a shepherd who cares for souls, he helps us diagnose the problem and recognize the cure.'

Rev. Dr. Glenn Packiam

'As I was reading Deep Peace, I felt a quiet calmness come over me. This is no self-help book. Page after page points us to the Prince of Peace, to Jesus himself, who alone can give us peace. Todd Hunter has written many wonderful books, but this is his best writing and thinking yet.'

author of The Good and Beautiful God James Bryan Smith

'Where have all the peacemakers gone? Todd Hunter is a voice crying in the wilderness, calling the church to rediscover deep peace for an anxious world.'

Dr. Winfield Bevins

'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 Mc Caulley

'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

'Todd Hunter is at home in the deep end of the pool, and I'm so excited about his latest work. Has there ever been a timelier resource for the times in which we live?'

J. D. Walt

'Todd Hunter shoots down the idea of peace as being dull and numbed out and instead invites us into a courageous, confident peace in ordinary moments. In response to such hearty, tangible peace, I say, 'Bring it on!''

author of Living a Purposeful Life and president o Jan Johnson

'As leaders we can't even begin to manage the anxiety and fear in the people we lead when we don't know how to manage it in ourselves. Deep Peace offers a hopeful vision of life that is a breath of fresh air for all of us trying to live with hope in a busy world.'-- Jay Pathak, national director, Vineyard Churches USA

'As I was reading Deep Peace, I felt a quiet calmness come over me. This is no self-help book. Page after page points us to the Prince of Peace, to Jesus himself, who alone can give us peace. Todd Hunter has written many wonderful books, but this is his best writing and thinking yet.'-- James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God

'At a time of deep conflict between warring ideologies and racial and generational tensions--both inside and outside the church--the time is right for this important book.'-- Gary W. Moon, founding executive director, Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Center at Westmont College, and author of Apprenticeship with Jesus

'Deep Peace draws with wisdom and compassion the ways Jesus can still our individual and collective storms and give us peace for life in the midst of the storms.'-- Mark Labberton, president, Fuller Theological Seminary

'Deep Peace invites readers on a journey to discover the ultimate path to the biblical concept of peace--shalom. My prayer as you read Todd Hunter's book is that your heart will be comforted by the God of all peace and that the Spirit of God will use you to be a bearer of peace to a troubled world.'-- Ed Stetzer, Wheaton College

'Deep Peace is broad in its coverage, deep in its insight, and practical in its wisdom. It is calming medicine for the soul, and I highly recommend it.'-- J. P. Moreland, professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and author of Finding Quiet

'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

'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

'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

'I cannot imagine a timelier book than this one for our anxious and troubled age. This is the book for the fearful, the worried, the angry, the lonely, the truculent, egotistical, disconsolate, and disoriented--which all of us are at some point in our lives. It deserves to be read prayerfully.'-- W. David O. Taylor, associate professor of theology and culture, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the author of Open and Unafraid

'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

'In an anxious and divided world, Bishop Todd Hunter comes alongside us with gentleness and wisdom. Bringing his considerable experience as both a leader and a shepherd who cares for souls, he helps us diagnose the problem and recognize the cure.'-- Rev. Dr. Glenn Packiam, associate senior pastor, New Life Church, and author of Blessed Broken Given

'It's been said in the past 3,400 years, humans have experienced global peace for just 268 of them. Bishop Todd Hunter addresses many of the reasons why peace has been elusive, where it flows from, and how we can move toward it.'-- AJ Sherrill, lead pastor, Saint Peter's Church, and author of Being with God

'Peace is a dovetailing dove that connects spares and splits, heals scars and sores, and nests them into constellations of glowing stars and glorious songs of harmonious difference. This book deserves to sunbathe in every bookshop window and occupy pride of place on every theology shelf.'-- Leonard Sweet, bestselling author, professor, and founder of PreachTheStory.com and The Salish Sea Press

'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

'The peace Todd Hunter opens up for us is not merely individual, but corporate; not merely personal, but prophetic; not merely isolation from a culture in conflict, but full engagement in the world. This is a timely and helpful book as we navigate the peculiar challenges of what it means to embody God's peace in this cultural moment.'-- Timothy C. Tennent, president, Asbury Theological Seminary, and professor of world Christianity

'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

'This deep and moving book shows us how to receive and move through the world with transformative peace--a true gift that will speak to and still many anxious hearts.'-- Jon Tyson, Church of the City, and author of The Intentional Father

'Todd Hunter is at home in the deep end of the pool, and I'm so excited about his latest work. Has there ever been a timelier resource for the times in which we live?'-- J. D. Walt, president and sower-in-chief, Seedbed

'Todd Hunter shoots down the idea of peace as being dull and numbed out and instead invites us into a courageous, confident peace in ordinary moments. In response to such hearty, tangible peace, I say, 'Bring it on!''-- Jan Johnson, author of Living a Purposeful Life and president of Dallas Willard Ministries

'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

'Where have all the peacemakers gone? Todd Hunter is a voice crying in the wilderness, calling the church to rediscover deep peace for an anxious world.'-- Dr. Winfield Bevins, director of church planting, Asbury Seminary, and author of Ever Ancient, Ever New

'With patient, expansive, and incisive reflections, Bishop Todd Hunter shows us the possibility of living in the peace we were made for. In an age of deep anxiety, this book is a true gift.'-- Rich Villodas, lead pastor, New Life Fellowship, and author of The Deeply Formed Life

From the Publisher