Forgiveness: The Power & the Puzzles

by Wendell E. Miller

THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES is a complete handbook on forgiveness that opens up the tremendous power of forgiveness to the reader. It could have been called "The Anger Handbook" because it teaches how to overcome problems of hurt feelings, anger, and aggressive behavior. Overcoming problems of anger is crucial. Spouse abuse, failures in marriages, failures in childrearing, and even child abuse often erupt from anger. Parents who model angry behavior are likely to raise children with anger problems. And most importantly, God is not glorified by Christians who have anger problems. THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES could have been called "The Overcomer's Manual" because it teaches how to be free from the spiritual, emotional, and behavioral control by offenses of others. It would not have been accurate to call it "The Sexual-Abuse Overcomer's Manual," because fully overcoming the effects of sexual abuse sometimes requires the use of biblical principles that are not included. However, THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES teaches the kind of forgiveness that is nearly always an absolute necessity to becoming really free from the trauma of sexual abuse. Although THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES is not a handbook on overcoming sexual abuse, it includes material on extending the power of forgiveness to "recovered memories" or counselor-implanted "false memories" (whichever view you hold). THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES starts by teaching four kinds of forgiveness that God grants, goes on to teach how to forgive when offended by others, teaches how to know that you have forgiven, explains what to do when forgiveness "doesn't work," and teaches how to "extend the power of forgiveness." Last, but not least, THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES includes the solution to the problem of forgiving self. You will be surprised as the author unfolds the answer right before your eyes. THE POWER AND THE PUZZLES will add biblical power to the books that you already have on Christian living, discipleship, marriage, childrearing, anger, communications, forgiveness, and sexual abuse.

261 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for the whole church. A great reminder of what forgiveness really is.

[Robert Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendell Miller’s book clearly expresses the power of forgiveness and makes his reader aware of the six kinds of forgiveness. Think about it…as many as six! Five relating to the offended and his or her relationship to God, and one applied to the relationship of the offended to the offender. Miller considers many relationship scenarios where forgiveness is appropriate and sometimes, even too often ignored.

In my opinion this is the best book written, outside of the bible itself, on forgiveness. I had read it many years ago and now after reading "The Liberator" and "The Sunflower" I read it again. The book answers many questions, particularly when scripture seems to present verses in contradiction. For example: In Luke 17:3 Jesus says you ought to forgive the offender if he repents; “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” That’s conditional. In Mark 11:25 Jesus says to just forgive without action on the part of the offender; “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” That’s unconditional. Miller gives his reader the logical biblical reconciliation of the verses. Hint: check the context. The Luke passage is in the context of speaking with the offender. The Mark passage is in the context of prayer to the Lord. Think of horizontal and vertical forgiveness. Better yet, read this book; there is so much more. Consider the term “forgive and forget”. Do you think this is a biblical saying? Again read this book. You will grow in faith by doing so. Is it Biblical to forgive yourself? Once again read the book. Miller answers these and many more questions you might have on forgiveness.

Perhaps God’s greatest attribute is His capacity to forgive, even the worst of offenders. After all He gave His only begotten Son. Then we should imitate our Father in heaven as a natural response to His love. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32