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Counterfeit Forgiveness: How a Modern Myth Betrays Victims, Protects Abusers, and Corrupts the Gospel
In Counterfeit Forgiveness: How a Modern Myth Betrays Victims, Protects Abusers, and Corrupts the Gospel, Teasi Cannon challenges a definition of forgiveness most Christians never question. Drawing on Scripture, church history, and her own experience as an abuse survivor, she argues that "therapeutic forgiveness"—the popular idea that forgiveness is an internal, self-directed act for emotional healing requiring nothing from the offender—is a secular counterfeit foreign to Jesus and the early church. Biblical forgiveness, she shows, is a relational exchange grounded in repentance, truth, and reconciliation. Written with compassion and clarity, this book exposes the counterfeit's damage and recovers forgiveness as God designed it. Foreword by Hillary Morgan Ferrer, founder of Mama Bear Apologetics.
"This is an important book—a book that has the potential to change minds and hearts about a central message of the Christian faith. It flows from Teasi’s sound knowledge of Scripture and her deeply heartfelt desire to reveal truth and effect change. Compelling, difficult to put down, and worth reading more than once."
—Vee Chandler, author of Biblical Boundaries of Forgiveness and Victorious Substitution
"Counterfeit Forgiveness is a much-needed correction to a modern distortion of biblical truth. Many of us grew up with the therapeutic model of forgiveness, which does not bring true healing, restoration, or freedom. Teasi Cannon exposes the counterfeit with clear, accessible language and biblical clarity, then restores the life-giving meaning of forgiveness found in Scripture. This message has been personally impactful for me, and I pray it will be for you too!"
—Alisa Childers, author of Another Gospel? and host of The Alisa Childers Podcast
"Teasi Cannon has written an important book that equips readers to distinguish between a biblical understanding of forgiveness and the counterfeit or therapeutic definition of forgiveness that is the dominant view of our culture. She does so through a careful study of Scripture and interaction with important sources. Her book is both accessible and persuasive. I highly recommend this book for victims, pastors, and biblical counselors, as well as those seeking to understand how a wrong understanding of forgiveness has captured much of cultural Christianity."
—Chris Brauns, pastor and author of Unpacking Forgiveness and The Way of Repentance
"Every once in a while, a book comes along and rearranges the theological furniture in your brain, putting a few things back where they belong. Counterfeit Forgiveness is one of those books. As I read through it, I kept thinking, 'Wow. This explains a lot.' Teasi brings much-needed clarity to one of the most misunderstood issues in the church. She points readers to a faithful, biblical understanding of forgiveness, grounded in humility, compassion, and a robust argument rooted in Scripture. She tackles the hard questions we all inevitably ask when wrestling with biblical forgiveness, exposing the consequences of some of the most popular assumptions about forgiveness that many of us have never fully thought through or followed to their logical end. Counterfeit Forgiveness is comforting, challenging, and deeply needed. I believe it will help readers better understand God, forgiveness, healing, justice, and healthy boundaries."
—Melissa Dougherty, content creator and author of Happy Lies
Teasi Cannon is an author, speaker, and host of the True Comfort Podcast. She holds an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty Theological Seminary, and a certificate in Christian Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. She is mentor and board member with the non-profit ministry BeEmboldened.
"This is an important book—a book that has the potential to change minds and hearts about a central message of the Christian faith. It flows from Teasi’s sound knowledge of Scripture and her deeply heartfelt desire to reveal truth and effect change. Compelling, difficult to put down, and worth reading more than once."
—Vee Chandler, author of Biblical Boundaries of Forgiveness and Victorious Substitution
"Counterfeit Forgiveness is a much-needed correction to a modern distortion of biblical truth. Many of us grew up with the therapeutic model of forgiveness, which does not bring true healing, restoration, or freedom. Teasi Cannon exposes the counterfeit with clear, accessible language and biblical clarity, then restores the life-giving meaning of forgiveness found in Scripture. This message has been personally impactful for me, and I pray it will be for you too!"
—Alisa Childers, author of Another Gospel? and host of The Alisa Childers Podcast
"Teasi Cannon has written an important book that equips readers to distinguish between a biblical understanding of forgiveness and the counterfeit or therapeutic definition of forgiveness that is the dominant view of our culture. She does so through a careful study of Scripture and interaction with important sources. Her book is both accessible and persuasive. I highly recommend this book for victims, pastors, and biblical counselors, as well as those seeking to understand how a wrong understanding of forgiveness has captured much of cultural Christianity."
—Chris Brauns, pastor and author of Unpacking Forgiveness and The Way of Repentance
"Every once in a while, a book comes along and rearranges the theological furniture in your brain, putting a few things back where they belong. Counterfeit Forgiveness is one of those books. As I read through it, I kept thinking, 'Wow. This explains a lot.' Teasi brings much-needed clarity to one of the most misunderstood issues in the church. She points readers to a faithful, biblical understanding of forgiveness, grounded in humility, compassion, and a robust argument rooted in Scripture. She tackles the hard questions we all inevitably ask when wrestling with biblical forgiveness, exposing the consequences of some of the most popular assumptions about forgiveness that many of us have never fully thought through or followed to their logical end. Counterfeit Forgiveness is comforting, challenging, and deeply needed. I believe it will help readers better understand God, forgiveness, healing, justice, and healthy boundaries."
—Melissa Dougherty, content creator and author of Happy Lies
Teasi Cannon is an author, speaker, and host of the True Comfort Podcast. She holds an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty Theological Seminary, and a certificate in Christian Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. She is mentor and board member with the non-profit ministry BeEmboldened.
- GenresChristian Living
254 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2025
About the author
Teasi Cannon
11 books19 followersTeasi Cannon is an author, speaker, and host of the True Comfort podcast with a passion for helping believers cultivate and enduring faith in Jesus. She holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University and a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.
Drawing from both theological study, Christian apologetics, and personal experience, Teasi writes and speaks on topics including forgiveness, suffering, calling and purpose, and the faithfulness of God in life’s hardest seasons.
Teasi lives in Tennessee with her husband, Bill, and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Drawing from both theological study, Christian apologetics, and personal experience, Teasi writes and speaks on topics including forgiveness, suffering, calling and purpose, and the faithfulness of God in life’s hardest seasons.
Teasi lives in Tennessee with her husband, Bill, and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 29, 2026
I was so excited for this book and binged it in two days. Worth every cent and I adore how clear Teasi is in wrestling with forgiveness in culture versus in Scripture. As someone who was asked not to return to a church group for espousing this view, it offers a great amount of catharsis that not everyone sees my view as crazy. While I think there were a few passing comments that were unclear or poorly-explained, the broad meat of the book is worth reading on every level and I would encourage everyone to check it out!
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August 28, 2026"God's Word never portrays love as leaving people alone in sin while wishing them well from a distance. Love moves toward, speaks truth, bears cost, and risks rejection for the sake of rescue. Counterfeit forgiveness may promise relief, peace, or even a Jesus-sanctioned excuse to avoid confrontation, but when it excludes the offender and abandons the call to reconciliation, it produces fruit that looks nothing like the heart of God." pgs. 64-65
This book has given me words to something I already believed but didn't always have clarity to explain. Even as someone going through a recent spiritually abusive church situation, it has offered a breath of fresh air in the healing. But, I have also loved how Teasi wrote the negative affects on the offender as well. It seems this is often overlooked or avoided. And when it is overlooked or avoided, it negatively affects the church itself...which is something we cannot overlook or avoid.
This book has given me words to something I already believed but didn't always have clarity to explain. Even as someone going through a recent spiritually abusive church situation, it has offered a breath of fresh air in the healing. But, I have also loved how Teasi wrote the negative affects on the offender as well. It seems this is often overlooked or avoided. And when it is overlooked or avoided, it negatively affects the church itself...which is something we cannot overlook or avoid.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Counterfeit Forgiveness by Teasi Cannon is a book that challenged what I have always understood and been taught about forgiveness. It was challenging not because what is contained in it is wrong, new, or novel, but because it demonstrates how the church has veered off track in recent years in its understanding of this practice that is so essential to the gospel. Her central thesis is that forgiveness was never intended to be a unilateral act within individuals designed solely for therapeutic benefit. Instead, she argues, it is an act between two parties for the goal of reconciliation as modeled by God Himself.
Cannon brings the receipts through Scripture, church history, and popular culture to describe what forgiveness is and isn’t, how we arrived at today’s common understanding, and what the church can do to course correct. She writes from a place of compassion and transparency, threading examples from her own life throughout the book. Her love for the body of Christ and fidelity to the truth of Scripture is evident from beginning to end. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to take an honest look at the topic of forgiveness through the lens of Scripture with an openness to change where needed.
Cannon brings the receipts through Scripture, church history, and popular culture to describe what forgiveness is and isn’t, how we arrived at today’s common understanding, and what the church can do to course correct. She writes from a place of compassion and transparency, threading examples from her own life throughout the book. Her love for the body of Christ and fidelity to the truth of Scripture is evident from beginning to end. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to take an honest look at the topic of forgiveness through the lens of Scripture with an openness to change where needed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was excited to read this book on biblical forgiveness! I first read Jay Adams’ 1989 counseling book From Forgiven to Forgiving - and struggled through those “new-to-me” biblical forgiveness principles. I’ve tried to continue growing and teaching this topic biblically over many years, but I soooo wanted a book to be written that included much more than Adams’ book - and more than I had accomplished with my own studies.
This is that book!!! I was able to recognize my own bend of still hurrying to “forgive” to avoid dealing with the ugliness of sin. That does not help the offender or others he may still offend.
I announced Counterfeit Forgiveness as the next book that we will use in my ladies’ Bible study! So many women are excited to have this topic explained more in depth from God’s Word for pain from past hurts they still experience.
I love that Teasi deals with the emotions of hurt, offense, and betrayal. She doesn’t side-step them, but she guides the reader through them biblically. This book offers God’s true help for the victim… and also for those who have caused that pain.
This is that book!!! I was able to recognize my own bend of still hurrying to “forgive” to avoid dealing with the ugliness of sin. That does not help the offender or others he may still offend.
I announced Counterfeit Forgiveness as the next book that we will use in my ladies’ Bible study! So many women are excited to have this topic explained more in depth from God’s Word for pain from past hurts they still experience.
I love that Teasi deals with the emotions of hurt, offense, and betrayal. She doesn’t side-step them, but she guides the reader through them biblically. This book offers God’s true help for the victim… and also for those who have caused that pain.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Recently I was struggling with feelings of bitterness toward an individual, and I began researching the subject of forgiveness. I ran across a podcast which featured Teasi Cannon discussing a view of forgiveness that is rarely offered today. This is not a "new" perspective, but simply one that has gone ignored in great part for decades.
The crux of the thesis is this: Forgiveness is not an act to be done alone in a vacuum. It is meant to be between two people: the forgiver who offers forgiveness, and the contrasting party who accepts forgiveness after they have recognized their hurt and repented. Teasi is not alone in her assessment of the nature of forgiveness. Biblical scholars such as Chris Brauns, Vee Chandler, Anthony Bash, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Murray, John Piper, Nicholas Wolterstorff and more have all espoused this view. There may be differing points in other areas of theology between all of these varied believers, but they hold the same posture as Ms. Cannon in the arena of forgiveness.
In Counterfeit Forgiveness, Teasi Cannon examines this topic from many angles, touching on several areas of concern which are sensitive and deeply personal. What does one do when the person who has harmed you is no longer alive? What if it is simply unsafe to even engage with this person? If there is no sign of conviction or repentance when the hurt is made known, what then? Aren't Christians commanded to forgive everyone? Did not Christ Himself hold a generous heart towards those who were actively crucifying Him? If forgiveness is a mechanism which also brings a measure of freedom to the victim, what are they to do if offering the gift of forgiveness simply isn't possible?
Teasi addresses these issues and more, with humility and with intimate knowledge of what it means to be hurt by another. If you are carrying bitterness in your heart which has become burdensome and spiritually cancerous, consider the message of Teasi Cannon's Counterfeit Forgiveness. She and other authors in her position are offering a biblical model which embodies the way in which God offers forgiveness. The Lord also offers other means of healing and sanctification for hurting souls when the transaction of forgiveness does not occur. She writes:
"Biblical forgiveness requires confrontation, accountability, the involvement of Christian community, the possibility of unresolved relationships, and the willingness to accept lingering pain when repentance doesn’t come. Unilateral forgiveness only requires my own thoughts. For a culture that’s increasingly uncomfortable with conflict and quick to disengage, the solo version moved faster and avoided landmines. We simply like to travel the path of least resistance.”
This review is merely a thumbnail sketch of Teasi Cannon’s presentation of biblical forgiveness. Like other newcomers to this view, I also had many questions when I was first presented with it. The words “Well what about…?” came to mind often. While Teasi’s work is not exhaustive in this realm of study, it is a fine offering, giving the reader an accessible and relatable view of what it means to be hurt and to process that pain. I myself will always be a work in progress in this regard. I am so grateful to the voices of Teasi Cannon, Chris Brauns, Vee Chandler and others who are shedding light on this crucial topic. It inhabits the core of the Gospel message, and should be heard by all.
The crux of the thesis is this: Forgiveness is not an act to be done alone in a vacuum. It is meant to be between two people: the forgiver who offers forgiveness, and the contrasting party who accepts forgiveness after they have recognized their hurt and repented. Teasi is not alone in her assessment of the nature of forgiveness. Biblical scholars such as Chris Brauns, Vee Chandler, Anthony Bash, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Murray, John Piper, Nicholas Wolterstorff and more have all espoused this view. There may be differing points in other areas of theology between all of these varied believers, but they hold the same posture as Ms. Cannon in the arena of forgiveness.
In Counterfeit Forgiveness, Teasi Cannon examines this topic from many angles, touching on several areas of concern which are sensitive and deeply personal. What does one do when the person who has harmed you is no longer alive? What if it is simply unsafe to even engage with this person? If there is no sign of conviction or repentance when the hurt is made known, what then? Aren't Christians commanded to forgive everyone? Did not Christ Himself hold a generous heart towards those who were actively crucifying Him? If forgiveness is a mechanism which also brings a measure of freedom to the victim, what are they to do if offering the gift of forgiveness simply isn't possible?
Teasi addresses these issues and more, with humility and with intimate knowledge of what it means to be hurt by another. If you are carrying bitterness in your heart which has become burdensome and spiritually cancerous, consider the message of Teasi Cannon's Counterfeit Forgiveness. She and other authors in her position are offering a biblical model which embodies the way in which God offers forgiveness. The Lord also offers other means of healing and sanctification for hurting souls when the transaction of forgiveness does not occur. She writes:
"Biblical forgiveness requires confrontation, accountability, the involvement of Christian community, the possibility of unresolved relationships, and the willingness to accept lingering pain when repentance doesn’t come. Unilateral forgiveness only requires my own thoughts. For a culture that’s increasingly uncomfortable with conflict and quick to disengage, the solo version moved faster and avoided landmines. We simply like to travel the path of least resistance.”
This review is merely a thumbnail sketch of Teasi Cannon’s presentation of biblical forgiveness. Like other newcomers to this view, I also had many questions when I was first presented with it. The words “Well what about…?” came to mind often. While Teasi’s work is not exhaustive in this realm of study, it is a fine offering, giving the reader an accessible and relatable view of what it means to be hurt and to process that pain. I myself will always be a work in progress in this regard. I am so grateful to the voices of Teasi Cannon, Chris Brauns, Vee Chandler and others who are shedding light on this crucial topic. It inhabits the core of the Gospel message, and should be heard by all.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh dear Teasi, I have been reading the preview of the book and WOW!
I believe Teasi has written a love letter to the wounded people of God that reveals the true model of forgiveness scripture actually presents to us. None of these ideas about forgiveness are new. These are ancient truths, that just needed a reformer like Teasi to come along and restore the act of forgiveness back to its original God-given intent and framework.
Counterfeit Forgiveness is an offering of hope to victims who have retreated from God altogether due to the perceived counterfeit requirements put upon them regarding those who have sinned against them. Requirements that seemed to hard to bear are now actually broken away, providing freedom and an actual avenue for them to lay down their burdens at the foot of the cross and place responsibilities where they are meant to be placed.
This book is going to be a game changer and I am honored to endorse it and excited to promote it to many who desperately need it.
Thank you Teasi.
I believe Teasi has written a love letter to the wounded people of God that reveals the true model of forgiveness scripture actually presents to us. None of these ideas about forgiveness are new. These are ancient truths, that just needed a reformer like Teasi to come along and restore the act of forgiveness back to its original God-given intent and framework.
Counterfeit Forgiveness is an offering of hope to victims who have retreated from God altogether due to the perceived counterfeit requirements put upon them regarding those who have sinned against them. Requirements that seemed to hard to bear are now actually broken away, providing freedom and an actual avenue for them to lay down their burdens at the foot of the cross and place responsibilities where they are meant to be placed.
This book is going to be a game changer and I am honored to endorse it and excited to promote it to many who desperately need it.
Thank you Teasi.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After watching a podcast, I wasn't sure what to think about Counterfeit Forgiveness. Then I read the pre-release copy and got the Audiobook. I decided to listen with an open mind but also to keep a firm grasp on Scripture. I've spent the last two years painfully peeling away decades of false teachings. I didn't realize it when I first started listening, but this book is also part of that process. It challenged wrong teachings I've heard all of my life and those that I taught. Teasi expertly weaves Scripture throughout and refutes the model of Therapeutic Forgiveness we've probably all heard. What do we do if someone offends us? What does God do when we offend Him? If we repent, He graciously forgives us. If we don't repent, there is no forgiveness and no reconciliation. Would He expect us to do something He doesn't do, and that is to forgive an unrepentant person? We still walk in love, including love for those who offend us. Forgiveness belongs to those who repent. I'm so grateful for Teasi's vulnerability and willingness to stand for the truth of Scripture.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Powerful, personal and important.
This is the book the Western church didn’t know we needed. We’ve been sold a version of forgiveness that is not biblical, but been taught it is.
Page after page, I felt like yelling “duh” as Teasi Cannon walks us through scripture and shows how we’ve misinterpreted and misunderstood passages we’ve been reading all our lives.
And this isn’t a new gospel or message, it’s an old one. It’s the original view of forgiveness before New Thought and therapeutic culture became the foundation of our cultural ideas about mental health instead of God.
Every believer NEEDS to read this book and then go back to scripture and check it for yourself.
What makes this book so powerful is the emotional connection to each step that the author makes to help us understand the message and relate it to the Bible.
This book will change the way we talk about forgiveness if we are wise enough to listen.
This is the book the Western church didn’t know we needed. We’ve been sold a version of forgiveness that is not biblical, but been taught it is.
Page after page, I felt like yelling “duh” as Teasi Cannon walks us through scripture and shows how we’ve misinterpreted and misunderstood passages we’ve been reading all our lives.
And this isn’t a new gospel or message, it’s an old one. It’s the original view of forgiveness before New Thought and therapeutic culture became the foundation of our cultural ideas about mental health instead of God.
Every believer NEEDS to read this book and then go back to scripture and check it for yourself.
What makes this book so powerful is the emotional connection to each step that the author makes to help us understand the message and relate it to the Bible.
This book will change the way we talk about forgiveness if we are wise enough to listen.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book has blown my mind in the best way. Every Christian and every church NEEDS this reminder.
“Just forgive without repentance so you can be free.” I believed and practiced this for almost 20 years. As a survivor of a lot of abuse, I’ve heard this time after time in biblical counseling sessions, from friends, family, church, etc. I had no idea I had fallen into the trap of therapeutic forgiveness. What I’ve needed is the understanding of biblical forgiveness and Teasi delivered!
Biblical forgiveness cannot be given unless there’s repentance from the offender. That doesn’t mean we sit in a place of bitterness. We pray for our heart posture toward them. The rest is up to God and my goodness that is SO freeing!
This is fully backed by scripture and so rich. I have highlighted so much and look forward to starting a study of it with friends.
“Just forgive without repentance so you can be free.” I believed and practiced this for almost 20 years. As a survivor of a lot of abuse, I’ve heard this time after time in biblical counseling sessions, from friends, family, church, etc. I had no idea I had fallen into the trap of therapeutic forgiveness. What I’ve needed is the understanding of biblical forgiveness and Teasi delivered!
Biblical forgiveness cannot be given unless there’s repentance from the offender. That doesn’t mean we sit in a place of bitterness. We pray for our heart posture toward them. The rest is up to God and my goodness that is SO freeing!
This is fully backed by scripture and so rich. I have highlighted so much and look forward to starting a study of it with friends.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a gift to those of us who believe that God's Word is the authority on all things, including forgiveness. We don't need a secular, self-help version of forgiveness because God's model for forgiveness is so much better! This book is a loving message, calling for course-correction. among well-meaning, devoted Christians. All of us who love the Lord Jesus and want to follow him will be blessed by this book- it offers nothing new, but simply points us back to what Jesus originally taught.
September 14, 2026
This book helped me understand the biblical view. I feel restored with God.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews