The Low Anthropology Book Tour

Thursday, November 10, 2022, 7:00 p.m. Ligonier Town Hall Auditorium

It is a joy to welcome back author and speaker David Zahl to Ligonier in promotion of his new book Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself). Zahl will be sharing from his book and discussing the overlap between faith and psychology on Thursday, November 10, at 7:30pm. The event is free open to the public.

Many of us spend our days feeling like we’re the only one with problems, while everyone else has their act together. But the sooner we realize that everyone struggles like we do, the sooner we can show grace to ourselves and others.

In Low Anthropology, popular author and pastor David Zahl explores how our ideas about human nature influence our expectations in friendship, work, marriage, and politics. We all go through life with an “anthropology”–ideas about what human beings are like, our potentials and our limitations. A high anthropology can breed perfectionism, anxiety, burnout, loneliness, and resentment. Meanwhile, Zahl invites readers into a biblically rooted and life-giving low anthropology, which fosters hope, deep connection with others, lasting love, vulnerability, compassion, and happiness.

“A lighthearted yet high-minded exploration of failure’s ability to serve as a gateway to grace. Readers will find this a balm.”

– Publisher’s Weekly

David Zahl is the executive director of Mockingbird Ministries, and the editor-in-chief of the popular Mockingbird website (www.mbird.com). He’s also the co-host of the Mockingcast Podcast. Zahl and his family live in Charlottesville, Va., where he serve on staff with Christ Episcopal Church as a college minister to students at the University of Virginia.

Low Anthropology Author David Zahl

In Praise of David Zahl’s book Seculosity

  • Christianity Today Magazine: Five Star Review
  • Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian (UK): ” Deep down, we’re using work, politics, family and romance to achieve our own salvation. But the truth is we’re flawed.”
  • Brenda O’Brien in The Irish Times: “Even though what [Zahl] calls capital-R religion is in decline, replacement religion is booming. Just as SoulCycle’s name and ambience is no accident, many aspects of our lives have taken on an almost religious fervour, except that the object of worship is not God but a frantic desire to manage guilt and to feel “enoughness”.
  • Jason Michelli in Christian Century: ” Seculosity names the religion-saturated culture in which we find ourselves increasingly angry, judgmental, and exhausted. The religions we adhere to are no longer the conventional Sunday morning varietals. They’re religions grounded in our stances on politics, food, parenting, and leisure—areas of life which would seem to be secular.”

David Zahl in the Media