ยป Download: The Spirit of Forgiveness (download pdf file)
The experience of forgiveness is the wedding garment for the banquet of Jesus. Note that it is a wedding garment-the robe of joy and communion, not sack-cloth and ashes-the sign of the sinner.
- John Shea in “The Challenge of Jesus”
Whether we’re speaking about ongoing global conflict, our own human struggles, petty insults or serious acts of evil, all of us know that a central tenet of Christianity is the act of forgiveness. God’s overwhelming grace and love is about restoration and wholeness, helping us and all creation to experience the healing power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Over the last decade and more, the study of forgiveness has captured the attention of researchers, theologians, and others interested in transformation and the power of forgiveness to heal. The following selection of resources captures in different and unique ways the spirit of forgiveness. You will find here the voices of ordinary people of faith, Nobel laureates, authors, and theologians whose experiences of forgiveness are examples for all of us. I hope you will find these resources good fodder for conversation and study!
Forgiveness always goes beyond what is just and due. It is not a matter of justice but an affair of grace.
- Richard Norris in “Understanding the Faith of the Church”
Books:
- Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Kraybill/Nolt/Weaver-Zerc (B3450)
- Don’t Forgive Too Soon: Extending the Two Hands that Heal by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn (B3373)
- No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu (B2648)
- The Power of Forgiveness by Kenneth Briggs (B3528) This is a companion resource based on the film of the same name (see DVD217 below). It examines the mysteries of forgiveness, focusing on personal struggle with betrayal, loss, grief, and confusion.
- Why Forgive? by Johann Christoph Arnold (B3102)
- A Forgiving Heart: Prayers for Blessing and Reconciliation by Lynn Klug (B2792)
- Speaking of Sin: The Lost Language of Salvation by Barbara Brown Taylor (B2743)
- Fire of Grace: The Healing Power of Forgiveness by Richard Rouse (B3123)
The point of the cross isn’t forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to something much bigger: restoration. God isn’t just interested in the covering of our sins; God wants to make us into the people we were originally created to be … This restoration is why Jesus always orients his message around becoming the kind of people who are generous and loving and compassionate. The goal here isn’t simply NOT to sin. Our purpose is to increase the shalom in this world … to become more and more the kind of people God had in mind when were first created.
- Rob Bell in “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith”
Websites
- Search our online catalog for additional titles under the subjects of forgiveness, reconciliation, and faith practices.
- Local dates and times for broadcast of the one hour documentary can be found at The Power of Forgiveness (external link).
- Augsburg Fortress has a downloadable study guide,The Power of Forgiveness (external link), to the PBS documentary of the same title, that can be used by individuals and groups reading The Power of Forgiveness by Kenneth Briggs.
- Check out “the internet’s most comprehensive forgiveness resource” at www.forgivenessweb.com (external link). It includes a reading room, videos, related websites, and more.
- Watch for the fall premier of The Little Lutheran Online (external link). It will feature resources for children on the topic of forgiveness.
- If you’d like to organize or lead a conversation on the topic of forgiveness, www.loveandforgive.org (external link) provides downloadable materials. Facilitator guides include background materials, essays, discussion questions, and activities. Participant resources include essays, suggested home practices and other ideas for continuing conversation, reflection, and action.
The spirit of forgiveness could change our world for the better.
-Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul
Video / DVD
- Voted the “Best Documentary” at the 2007 Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival (external link), The Power of Forgiveness features Nobel Laureate, Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and others who share wisdom about the act of forgiveness, particularly in the face of great evil. From conflicts in Northern Ireland to Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, this DVD reveals how forgiveness transforms lives. (DVD217)
- The Power of Forgiveness presents four studies that open our minds and hearts to a new understanding of forgiveness so we can embrace forgiveness as key to a wholesome and free life. Four 10-minute programs: The Origin of Forgiveness, What is Forgiveness?, Why Do We Need to Forgive?, How is Forgiveness Possible? (DVD47)
- We recommend a classic study of the many faces of forgiveness in Walter Wink’s Whole and Forgiven, a video study of six biblical texts about Jesus and healing. The format engages groups using centering prayer, guided imagery and role playing. Stories include The Man Let Down from the Roof, The Woman with a Hemorrhage, Blind Bartimaeus, the Bent-Over Woman and more. (DVD157=) (VT1007=)
- The Nooma films by Rob Bell exude themes of grace and forgiveness. Highly recommended for all ages, appropriate titles include Luggage (DVD115), Rhythm (DVD119), and Lump (DVD118).
- For a poignant picture of the spirit of forgiveness in war-torn Northern Uganda, the ELCA’s Mosaic: Ready to Forgive-An African Story of Grace captures the story of the Acholi people who are united in the belief that reconciliation and forgiveness are the only real solutions to their suffering and victimization. (DVD171)
- Bridge to Forgiveness from the Bible Study Series for Youth depicts the story of biblical brothers, Jacob and Esau to help young people reflect on their experiences of hurt, anger, and forgiveness. (DVD80)
- Bill Moyer’s film about South Africa’s struggle to end apartheid is a compelling account of the role of forgiveness. Facing the Truth with Bill Moyers traces South Africa’s oppressive past including questions of recrimination, punishment, and forgiveness. It describes the efforts of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) (external link) to investigate human rights violations and help South Africa in its process of reinvention. Moyers speaks with TRC architect, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and with apartheid victims to hear their stories firsthand. (VT2380)
- Lewis Smedes’ books and videos about forgiveness are classics. We recommend “The Art of Forgiving” from Spiritual Homepage. (VT1745)
Don’t set limits to the mercy of God. Don’t imagine that because you are not pleasing to yourself you’re not pleasing to God.
- Thomas Merton in The Wisdom of the Desert
Articles / Printed Resources
- Looking at Life Piece by Piece by Kristen Kemper features a segment on forgiveness for youth and adults. (PR766)
- An issue titled Forgiving from The Living Pulpit highlights texts, articles, books, ideas for preaching, and more. (PR File) Among the articles is a classic about the work of Julian of Norwich, “Julian of Norwich and the Theology of Forgiveness.”
… whoever is resolved in prayer to forgive, and rises from praying without forgiving at all, this person does not think much of prayer. Indeed, the true test of our prayer is whether we do the will of God, including the spirit of forgiveness.
- St. Teresa of Avila in Way of Perfection