FORGIVENESS
biblical answers for complex questions and deep wounds
chris BRAUNS
CROSSWAY BOOKS
WHEATON, ILLINOIS
Copyright © 2008 by Chris Brauns
Published by Crossway Books
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.
Cover design: Jessica Dennis
Cover photo: iStock
First printing, 2008
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version®. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations indicated as from NIV are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations indicated as from NASB are taken from The New American Standard Bible, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation and are used by permission.
All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.
PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-0484-6
Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-0485-3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Brauns, Chris, 1963–
Unpacking forgiveness : biblical answers for complex questions and deep wounds / Chris Brauns.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-58134-980-1
1. Forgiveness of sin. 2. Forgiveness—Religious aspects—Christianity. I. Title.
BT795.B26 2008
234'.5—dc22
2008009804-
the grace and truth of Genesis 2:18 in my life
Introduction: The Forgiveness Quiz
3 Defining Forgiveness: The Divine Pattern
4 Defining Forgiveness for Christians
11 How Should I Respond to the Unrepentant? Two Principles
12 How Should I Respond to the Unrepentant? A Third Principle
13 How Can I Conquer Bitterness?
14 How Can I Stop Thinking about It?
15 What If Christians Cannot Agree?
Appendix 1: More Forgiveness Questions
Appendix 2: What Other Authors Say about Conditional Forgiveness
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About Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep WoundsHelps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships. "True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness. Only God's Word can unpack forgiveness. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice. |
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