The Question of Forgiveness by Brian Zahnd (1-Feb-2011) Paperback

by Brian Zahnd

In this little book, we discover that if Christianity isn’t about forgiveness, it’s about nothing at all. But is there a limit to forgiveness? Is it always possible? Or even always right? This book begins with Simon Wiesenthal, an Austrian Jew imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp during WWII, who was confronted with the plea for forgiveness from a dying Nazi SS soldier. This book will challenge the reader with the “What would you do?” It reminds us that Christ’s command to love your enemy is very hard to do, but as followers of Christ, we are called to believe that love is more powerful than hate—something that Christ modeled to the extreme of Calvary’s cross. Zahnd digs into the question of forgiveness, and concludes with beyond the suffering of unconditional forgiveness lie the resurrection of love and the triumph of peace.

Genres: Christianity

Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. As the lead pastor, he is the primary preacher during our weekend services, and he oversees the direction of the church. Pastor Brian is a passionate reader of theology and philosophy, an avid hiker and mountain climber, and authority on all things Bob Dylan.

He and his wife, Peri, have three adult sons and five grandchildren. He is the author of several books, including Unconditional?, Beauty Will Save the World, A Farewell To Mars, and Water To Wine.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short booklet (I think it's either a condensed version of or excerpts from Zahnd's book UNconditional), we're offered a distilled look at forgiveness. It's brief but challenging, and provides much to think through and live out.

[Bolu Akindele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this (small) book was profound.

It challenged all my previously held notions of what forgiveness means for me, as a Christian, and as a Christian here and now. Then it raises the standard even more and does a fantastic job of proving them theologically. It is a brief, but thorough theological material.

I feared that Brian would mix the concept of forgiveness and the need for justice, or more accurately, a legal system that seeks justice. But before you get midway into the book, Brian makes that distinction.

I thought this book was Bold. Brian is bold about the things he believes about Forgiveness, about its importance to Christ and Christianity and doesn't attempt to soften the blow in presenting his convictions. He says it as it is.

This is a beautiful book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that delves fairly deeply into the concept of Christian forgiveness based on Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). He touches on Simon Wiesenthal’s book The Sunflower, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s teaching, and various thinkers who try to explain away the radical impractical “ teaching of Jesus Christ on forgiveness. For such a brief treatment of a rich and complex subject, this book is well-done. I imagine that it could stimulate good discussion as well in small groups.
I read the ebook on hoopla.

[Ayibatari Ogounga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness is what Christianity is about as far as conflict on earth is concerned

[Yusuf Leinge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your money was stolen. Easy to forgive. Your were lied on. Relatively easy to forgive. But what if you were raped? What if your child is kidnapped and killed my ritualist. Can you forgive? In fact, SHOULD you forgive? Is forgiveness that right in ALL cases? This book will unlock a crazy door for you.