Forgiveness

One of Jesus’ most mind-boggling declarations is that we who hope to follow him must first be willing to forgive the people who have hurt us.  Not only does this injunction show up at the heart of the prayer he offers to his disciples (“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. . . .”) but he also restates it as a requirement for salvation:  “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt. 6: 11-15) 

Huston sees forgiveness as the doorway to radical Christian love.  Yet she also believes it to be one of the most difficult challenges we will ever face, one that raises many serious questions.  How can a loving God allow terrible things to happen to good people in the first place? Doesn’t forgiving a bad act actually help foster evil?  How do we tell the difference between a real hurt and a wounded ego?  If we realize that we are unfairly accusing others of harming us, how do we become less self-defensive and more loving?  Why is it so hard to accept forgiveness for ourselves? 

Using her own life story as a source of illustrations, Huston examines the intellectual, psychological, social, and spiritual meanings of forgiveness and offers specific guidance in regard to forgiving parents, spouses, and fellow community members.   

Read an excerpt or browse the reviews.