Empathy for the Devil

by JR. Forasteros

Do we have anything in common with the bad guys of the Bible?

The sins of wrath, idolatry, and abuse of power are closer to us than we think. How do we guard against them? We learn not only by following moral exemplars—we also need to look at the warnings of lives gone wrong.

In this fictionalized narrative, JR. Forasteros reintroduces us to some of the most villainous characters of Scripture. He shows us what we can learn from their negative examples, with figures such as Cain, Jezebel, King Herod, Sampson and Delilah, and even Satan serving as cautionary tales of sin and temptation. Forasteros vividly tells their stories to help us understand their motivations, and his astute biblical and cultural exposition points out what we often miss about their lives.

We soon discover that we might have more in common with these characters than we would like to admit. Take a fresh look at the scoundrels of Scripture, and find sound pastoral guidance here to walk the path of righteousness.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Christian Living, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2017

About the author

JR. Forasteros lives in Dallas, TX with his wife, Amanda. He is the author of Empathy for the Devil as well as multiple essays on preaching, church leadership and culture. He is a columnist at Sojourners and has bylines at Tor.com and Think Christian.

Reviews

[JR. Forasteros]

I mean I wrote this book so I think it's pretty great.

[Andrew McAuliffe-Shave · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be blatantly honest, this book would not have been one i would have intentionally sought out to read so major kudos to the designer of the book cover. What an exquisitely designed and exquisite piece of cover art. It reeled me right in! Even though I am not Christian I pride myself on being open to all faiths and I actively research the beliefs and histories of worldwide religions. This book gives us the opportunity to look at biblical stories from a different perspective. The perspective of the supposed villain and gage what might have driven them to do the deeds they did. It also allows us an opportunity to evaluate the dark side of human behaviour and acknowledge that yes, we ourselves have one! These stories make us look at our moralities and give food for thought on how we can make this world a better place by employing compassion and empathy. I particularly enjoyed the retelling of the stories at the beginning of each chapter. Very well written, thought-provoking and a truly fascinating book. One i could not put down. I read it in a day which goes to show just how engaging it is.

[Brannon Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Researchers have demonstrated a correlation between reading fiction and a capacity for empathy. This should not surprise us, for both require attentiveness, imagination, and the ability to enter into another's story. Synthesizing solid yet accessible biblical scholarship, fictionalized retellings of biblical narratives, and pastoral wisdom, JR. Forasteros invites us to consider the perspectives of familiar and not-so-familiar villains of the Bible. Empathy for the Devil performs a kind of 'listening between the lines' for the desires, motivations, and rationalizations of even the most despicable characters and their (mis)deeds. The point is not to elevate them, but to humble us. Their stories, carefully considered, expose similar tendencies and twistedness lurking within our own hearts. Every reader will benefit not only from JR.'s insights into these cautionary tales, but from the exercise of entering empathetically into their stories and allowing the Holy Spirit to shine the flashlight into the darkest corners of our souls.

[Rick Lee Lee James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading into the early hours of the morning to finish the book. It's start out strong and gets better with each chapter. In an age where the church's lack of grace has made it truly satanic, this book calls is back to our Savior's mercy and grace. The last chapter focused on the accuser is a brilliant crescendo in a work filled with scholarship, humor, and theological insight.

To quote J.R: "As we learn to see the villains lurking within ourselves, may the Spirit breathe new life into us. As we become whole, may we become a people able to love even the devils we meet and to find them transformed into friends by that love."

[Blake Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most compelling question any great story seeks to answer is: Why?

Why did Cain kill Abel? Why did Delilah seduce Samson? Why did Judas betray Jesus?

These questions are all the same question: Why does evil exist?

And, more to the point, why does it exist within us?

In Empathy for the Devil, J.R. Forasteros tells seven gripping stories about the most infamous characters of the Bible so we can learn why they did what they did, and, in turn, why we do what we do.

Tread lightly, reader: When JR. parts the veil over Jezebel’s face or grants us entrance into Herod’s inner sanctum, you’re unlikely to discover the evil adversaries you booed in Sunday School. Rather, you’re going to find yourself subtly nodding your head.

You will see these misunderstood men and women of the Bible in such arresting, startling new ways that you may even catch glimpses of yourself in their eyes.

The question you have to ask yourself then is: Why?

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unlike any other I've read--combining fiction chapters and nonfiction chapters while examining the villains of the Bible. It told the stories of biblical villains like Cain, Delilah, Judas, and even the devil and examined their motives, challenging us to practice empathy so that we might be able to practice empathy with the people in our lives and the world today with whom we don't agree. I loved this book!

[Logan Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good insights on the villains of the Bible, and quite effective in showing how we are like them. I disagree with his interpretation of Satan, but even so, I still found that chapter to contain some interesting points, and forming a valid criticism of Christian culture.

(Disclaimer: I know the author in almost real life)

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Empathy For The Devil' - by J.R. Forasteros

What can the villains teach us?

"Our road has brought us to where we are, the same as their road has taken them to where they are." This line from near the end of J.R.'s book is one that resonated with me. This specific context applies to those we have different points of view from, but we can still take the time to see where they are coming from and learn about what formulates their perspective. Whether that be on the other side of a political aisle, religion, or other diverse issue. How easy it is to dismiss (the other) as "evil." Yet when we explore what makes them... them... we have much to gain. It's not about exonerating notoriously bad behavior, it's about coming to an understanding that we are all human and share the majority of things.

J.R. Forasteros is current teaching pastor at Catalyst Community Church in Rowlett, TX, and a former classmate of my wife's during their time at Southwest Baptist University. I share her appreciation for knowing classmates, friends, and the people who inhabit our lives at a deeper level, so at her mention, I got to know J.R. to some degree, and part of what makes him tick. I don't view certain things as he does, but can relate to several of his cultural references, and the drive to learn about others and see the world in a number of different ways.

Through a fictional surrounding story and some historical knowledge, J.R. gives us a different look at Jezebel, Herodias, Delilah, Judas, King Herod. It's always bothered me that the enemies in the Bible were oft referred to as simply "Evil." As if they lived, breathed, exuded evilness. But that's not really so, now is it? Cain had a life and a role before the events with Abel. Was Samson just a brute who had holy hair? Or did he serve a larger purpose, that was in part brought about in part by Delilah?

I'm glad I picked up his book and have enjoyed and gleaned from this take on the traditional villainous roles of some of Biblical and History's worst. The thing about them is, they didn't get that way overnight, and in many regards, they really aren't that different from the rest of us. What do we have in common with the bad guys? Sometimes one temptation, one wrathful or idolatrous choice set them apart.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

JR. Forasteros has written a clever book that calls us to a deeper understanding of the Christian story, and, ultimately, of ourselves. Empathy For the Devil is a collection of teachings about the villains of the Bible, each preceded by a short work of fiction about that character.

Forasteros creates true-to-life scenes that give us a glimpse behind the curtain of the often-terse Biblical accounts. He helps us imagine the self-talk of seven notorious Bible characters: Cain, Delilah and Samson, Jezebel, Herod the Great, Herodias, Judas, and Satan. And in getting close, we find these villains more wounded than wicked.

Filled with great storytelling and insightful Bible teaching, this book could not be more timely. If there’s anything our culture lacks these days, it’s empathy. We make villains of our fellow man when the gospel calls us to make amends. The epilogue says it clearly:

"We make villains out of what we don’t understand. We insist they could never be like us. But a close examination reveals we are separated by degrees, not kind. We all have the same sickness. Evil queens and femme fatales, murderous brothers and crazy kings, betrayers and devils live among us — and they are us."

Empathy For the Devil is a triumph of imagination and compassion. The kind of book that calls the church to greater faithfulness, and lets us enjoy ourselves along the way.

[Christina Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Forasteros does an amazing job of combining fiction, history, theology, and personal stories into one book. I found myself deeply captivated by the fictional retelling of the villain stories I have read my entire life. Empathy for the Devil caused me to think, to examine my own life and the ways I can be a villain too. His discussion on Satan and Judas are two highlights for me, particularly because these two characters were always hard for me to understand when I have read them in the Bible.

Here's a great quote that sums up why we should have empathy for all the villains in our lives: "We make villains out of what we don't understand. We insist they could never be like us. But a closer examination reveals we are separated by degrees, not kind. We all have the same sickness. Evil queens and femme fatales, murderous brothers and crazy kings, betrayers and devils live among us-and they are us." (pg. 208)

In short, this book has it all. It's a great read and one I will be recommending for a long time. Go get yourself a copy of this today!

[Chris Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Empathy for the Devil" is a bit like reading Gregory Maguire's "Wicked" in that one is reading familiar stories from a different point of view. Having grown up in the church, I was familiar with the stories. But JR. Forasteros' idea to hear the stories from the villains' perspective opened these stories up to me so I could read with fresh eyes.

Empathy is a quality far too lacking in society, myself included. As I was reading the stories of the villains from their own perspective, I began to think of the "villains" in my own life. Could it be that those that I think of as villains are more multi-faceted than I sometimes give them credit for? Could they be more than the cardboard cutout "evil person" that I'm tempted to see them as? These are the questions at play in "Empathy for the Devil".

If you only read one book this year, let it be this one!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Empathy for the Devil, JR Forasteros explores different "bad guy" characters of the Bible from their own perspectives to see what led them to do the things that we vilify them for. From Cain killing Abel to Judas betraying Jesus to the Devil himself, JR helps us, by cultivating the all-too-rare skill of empathy, to see how we too may be just a few bad decisions away from becoming the things we abhor in these villains. He never condones what they do, but in helping us understand them he helps erase the artificial line between a "good" us and a "bad" them, and that process will hopefully make us better, more loving, more Christlike people. I cannot recommend it highly enough! Definitely worth reading and sharing with a friend.

[Jason Holstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to better understand others. JR takes a group of characters that have always been painted with the one dimensional brush of villain-hood. He use beautiful, often heartbreaking fictional narratives to open the door on the human emotions that lead these villains done their own personal paths to infamy. As you see each story through the eyes of the “bad guy” you can’t help but see pieces of yourself in each of them. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It will challenge you in unexpected ways.

[Mohammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my typical genre, nor would this typically be my first choice in literature. However, after a strong recommendation from a friend I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and give Empathy for the Devil a shot. This book is FANTASTIC!! No matter what your beliefs, no matter where you are in life, this book has something to offer. I love how JR Forasteros was able to fictionalize classic, well known tales in a manner that allowed me to see things from a completely new point of view. I truly found myself empathizing with these characters, and cannot recommend it enough!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the title was the best choice - “sympathy” definitely doesn’t work. The author doesn’t want you to feel bad for these people. Or even understand their actions. Just understand that they are real people. It’s not empathy for what they’ve done or sympathy for who they are. But empathy for their humanity, even as it slips away.

Interesting discussion on Cain. It's fascinating how we, knowing very little detail, can believe that these stories are so black and white with definite heroes and villains. If you go back to the Bible story, all it says is that God noticed Abel's sacrifice but not Cain's. What does that mean? How did they know? Paul (or the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews) tells us it was a matter of faith. But did he know that? Or was he making a guess? It's interesting that, except for Rob Bell's writings, no one seems to ever ask or care: What's the Jewish commentary on this story?

When we look to our identities to give our life meaning, they become idols.

Interesting thought!

Though I don't believe the god that created our world cares about us or wants our worship, this is a good thought from a secular point of view. It can hurt us to let an identity be everything because identities can be fleeting. If we wrap ourselves up in an identity, when that identity goes away, we're lost.

And I found this to be good advice: When we’re angry, we ought to pause and consider what part of our identity is being challenged.

Geez. Sampson was a dick. But Paul calls him a man of faith! I can't believe that he broke all of God's laws and was called a man of faith. Basically just for killing Philistines. If he was living today, he’d be pretty popular among Christians, too.

From the section on Jezebel, I found this extremely compelling:

Our bent toward building empires grows from humanity’s original sin: acting as though my vision of the world is the one that will best lead to flourishing. Theologians call this attitude pride. Pride is at the root of every empire ever built, whether on the world stage or in an abusive home. And contrary to popular belief, pride is at the root of Jezebel’s sin.

This is something we have definitely carried through history - and pretty much still believe. We think our way is the best way, so we go forth and evangelize it and try to change the world to "be like us".

And this is a refreshing lesson we could all learn:

In Jesus’ kingdom, whatever power, position, and influence we have is to be used for the sake of the other—for them, not for us. Jesus repeatedly, stridently dismantled the categories of us versus them. Rich versus poor. Jew versus Gentile. Saint versus sinner. Even heaven versus earth.

I love the importance the author puts on helping others…but that’s the message of Jesus, no?

As a culture, we are in very real danger of working too hard to silence these marginalized voices, to shout them down or ignore them rather than do the difficult work of emptying ourselves. We do this by shutting our mouths and listening to the people with whom we disagree and by putting aside biases we have for the sake of trying to put ourselves in the other’s shoes.

as we learn to follow Jesus in the ongoing act of dying to ourselves for the good of the Other, we find true community. We learn to love not because we ignore the quirks and pretend differences don’t matter. We learn to love because of our differences, because unity is not the same thing as uniformity.

That’s last phrase is amazing: unity is not the same thing as uniformity

And one of Christianity’s more popular villains: Herod.

The lack of a good choice is precisely why many people don’t like noir as a genre. We watch movies or read books to escape from reality. We want to live in a world—even if it’s just for a couple of hours—in which we know who the good guys are and that they always win. Noir forces us to acknowledge that reality is rarely as black and white as we wish.

Sometimes. But it is refreshing to see art mimic life once in a while.

Like Herod, we don’t live in a world of easy choices. We find ourselves caught between impossible commitments. In a world that’s not black and white, every choice feels like a compromise. So how can we be sure we’re not following in Herod’s footsteps? In a world that’s all shades of gray, how do we choose between bad and worse?

Good points. It's much easier to identify with people when they share your struggles - trying to make the right decision, not knowing what the best path is, is difficult.

I love what he says here about balance - there is no balance. God should be first. But we don’t live like that - we try to balance God as a part of our lives, instead of making him the driving force of our lives - and by doing that, we commodify him. We make him one of many things to be balanced.

Huh. The author very nearly seems to elicit sympathy for Herodias. Her arguments are very nearly compelling - especially when she invokes the evils of patriarchy and the feeling of being abandoned by God. Then he goes on to talk about how she was shaped by her family life - I understand we all have to rise above this, but sometimes it’s difficult. And there’s no mention of John condemning Herodias’s first marriage - to her uncle as a child bride.

Sin is inescapable because we have been pumping it into our institutions, cultures, and families since humans have walked the earth. Sin, like a disease, infects us from the first breath we take, warping us as we grow. We shrug and say, “To err is human.” We have normalized sin to the point that we can’t even see that it is sin anymore. How could Christians have marched in the Crusades? How could Christians have actively participated in every level of the slave trade? How could Christians murder people they consider heretics? How could Christians turn a blind eye to the Holocaust? Today we make excuses: “They were people of their time. It’s not fair to judge the actions of yesterday by the morality of today.”

Fine (I guess). But the more important question here is: How am I a “person of my time”? What sins might I be participating in today—totally assured of my own righteousness—that will be condemned by the church of the future? Might they ask, “How could Christians have spewed hatred and death threats at the LGBTQ community? Why was the church so segregated? How could the Western church ignore the millions in the Global South who don’t have access to clean water? Didn’t they realize that creation is a precious gift from our Creator? How could they have been so careless with their food, their fuel, and their trash?” Sin has thoroughly warped the very fabric of our institutions. Like fish that cannot comprehend the ocean, we are blind to sin because it’s so pervasive, because it’s been infecting us since the moment of our birth.

This is amazing! It blows my mind. Yes. Why can’t Christians today think this way???

But there is a gray area: while we are not held accountable for the sin we’re born into, that sin corrupts us. This atmosphere of sin warps us into beings for whom acting against God’s will feels natural. The insidious truth of sin is that it convinces us we are less than we were created to be.

That's a new view of sin - at least, to me!!! We need to see the consequences of our actions - no matter how righteous we think they might be. Wow.

Whoa. With Judas, the author takes to task modern Western Christianity. I am impressed. Like Judas, we favor a victorious savior - one who wins. He even quotes Driscoll. It’s beautiful. We don’t want Isaiah’s suffering savior. We want the triumphant Trump who will win, beating the blacks and browns, the women, even those who are suffering.

After reading this, I’m reminded of something a friend recently said to me. You can’t have a story - or a hero - without a villain.

I need to keep remembering that. Even the villain has his part to play.

Wow - this author really has a compelling view of Satan. (Compelling in that it follows scripture better than today’s evangelical Devil myths.) And the interesting thing? Today’s evangelicals have more in common with this Satan than with Jesus. They are righteously indignant that grace can cover those that they see as less deserving of it. Those who, in their mind, are less pure.

It’s a messed up world when modern day Christians are more like Satan, and modern day Satanists are more like Christ. (Ha! After I wrote this I read: Christians who refuse to extend God’s grace to the world around them are truly satanic.)

Frankly, a lot of religious people view a religious life as a sacrifice. Sinners get to have all the fun—sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll—while the religious folks sacrifice fun, joy, and excitement for an eternal reward. As a fringe benefit, we’ve decided we get to sit in judgment over the sinners, and it’s not long before a certain smug self-satisfaction creeps in as we contemplate their eternal torment.

Have all the fun you want now. We’ll see who’s laughing for eternity! No wonder the religious folks get upset when God shows up. Rather than standing aloof and apart in judgment with them, God is partying with the sinners.

This is some good stuff. The author writes a fantastic book - by trying to understand the villains of the Bible, we can work to understand our own lives and how we try to live out what Jesus taught - or whatever values drive us. Recommended, regardless of your religious affiliation.

Thanks to NetGalley and InterVarsity Press for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I get into my review I need to explain something about me. I love villains. I don't mean how people love to hate "good" villains or how a villain makes a story better. I mean villains are almost always my favorite characters (movies, books, tv shows, whatever), flaws and all. For example, if you've read or watched Game of Thrones, Jaime Lannister has been my favorite character since he was first introduced.
So when I heard J.R. Forasteros was writing a book about the villains of the Bible I was extremely excited! Thankfully, I was not let down, this book is great! Forasteros writing style is clear and concise and he does a great job creating a believable fictional world for each villain. Through his stories, Forasteros invites the reader into the worldview and mindset of some of the "bad guys" of the Bible. As we are all the heroes of our own story, Forasteros takes this and runs with it by giving the reader a glimpse into a "villains" decision making process. Through this I often found myself, if not totally agreeing with their actions and decisions, at least being able to empathize with why they made the decision. I often found myself wondering, "growing up as they did, would I have made the same decisions?".
This book is a great read for anybody of any faith. It demonstrates how if we take the time to understand the villains in our own personal lives, we might be surprised to see we have a lot more in common with one another than we at first thought.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empathy for the Devil brings you on journey to understand what could have motivated some of the Bible's "big bads" and to take a look at those motivations in our own life. JR Forasteros presents compelling stories for some of the classical "bad guys" - Cain, Jezebel and Judas, to just name a few - but does so with humility and without presumption that this is the only way of looking at them. The book is in a pattern of one fictional chapter, from the point of view of the Biblical villain, and one nonfiction chapter, where JR breaks down the historical context, motivation and modern similarities of that character. JR does a great job of addressing issues both to the reader personally, but also to the greater church community. And he doesn't spare himself from the scrutiny as well, with plenty of anecdotes from his life on how his growth and change. I definitely see myself rereading this book several times.

[Laura Fissel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a wonderful blend of fact and fiction: imaginative narrative carefully and thoughtfully constructed on a foundation of truth. I was delighted by how each vignette challenged long-held perceptions of biblical stories that I had never properly questioned or investigated. I truly appreciate the delicate balance here, created by the author's commitment to context. Well researched and thoughtfully written. I really can't recommend this enough.

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this book exceeded my expectations. It’s an insightful book that captures the imagination and cultivated empathy. It’s a book that I look forward to reading again sometime, hopefully in hard copy.

[Squire Whitney: Hufflepuff Book Reviwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Empathy for the Devil, J.R. Forasteros tells several Biblical stories from the perspective of the villains of the Bible. His goal is to help us view them as more fully human, such that we can see when we might be making poor decisions and heading down a dangerous path like they did. After each story, Forasteros provides commentary on how we can apply such lessons to our own lives. Each story is intriguing, although I found them a bit shorter than I wanted them to be. And they usually cut off at the moment that the character makes a questionable decision and starts going down a bad path—when I had wanted to see the consequences for their actions play out!

Throughout most of the book, I had been planning on giving Empathy for the Devil three stars—but the last two stories on Judas and Satan were captivating enough to bump it up for me, because both of their motivations differed vastly from the motivations that we typically project onto them. Judas is portrayed as an enthusiastic follower of Jesus, who had constantly perceived Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah that would take over Israel via force and conquer its enemies. Naturally, Judas is devastated when Jesus starts seeming forlorn and talking about his forthcoming death. Judas fathoms that Jesus is giving up! The last straw for Judas occurs when Jesus allows the prostitute to bathe his feet in perfume, and Jesus announces that she is preparing him for burial. Scripture even says that it is immediately after this that Judas turns Jesus into the authorities. So Judas turns Jesus in, hoping that this will inspire Jesus to wage war against those who oppose him and finally take over Israel.

As for the story of Satan, his fall in this book does not occur until after the crucifixion. In his commentary after the fact, Forasteros even argues that this is more accurate to the scriptural account—but I don’t know the Bible well enough to say whether or not I agree with him there. Satan, who is named The Accuser as an angel, has the job of keeping track of all men’s wrongdoings and reporting this to God. Sometimes he also has the job of testing people out in order to see what they are made of—such as he does with Jesus when he is fasting. While The Accuser is shown to have great reverence and love for God (who is referred to as The Word), he is constantly frustrated by The Word’s propensity to forgive mankind for their sin and wrongdoing. This reaches a climax upon Jesus’s crucifixion. The Accuser sees humanity’s blemishes more clearly than ever before, as they murder his lord and the disciples deny Him. The Accuser fathoms that maybe now he can provoke anger in The Word, so that humans might finally get what they deserve. But, no, upon Jesus’s death, man is now reconciled to God—and The Accuser no longer has to keep track of man’s wrongdoings. The Accuser becomes furious and rebels.

Forasteros clearly has a vivid imagination in reimagining Biblical stories. I would love to see him perhaps even write a novel of this kind someday!

[Ariadne Cares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has just become one of my favorite books of all time. Forasteros is a Protestant minister, and despite the provocative title, he's not trying to get you to love Satan.

Forasteros is an excellent creative writer, and this book is full of his characters studies of people who I'd always thought were pure evil and had nothing in common with me. I was self-righteous, because OF COURSE I was a better person than Cain, Jezebel, Delilah, Herodias, Judas Iscariot, etc. They were one-dimensional incarnations of wickedness. I was a good little church girl. But the reality, it seems, is far more complicated.

Forasteros does a tremendous job of bringing to life each villainous biblical character. He tells stories of what could have motivated each person, and suddenly I found myself seeing glimpses of my own motivations in nearly all the characters, instead of none. Forasteros draws compelling application from each story, and in the end even provides a mind-blowing theory about the timing of Satan's fall which I've never heard before and is well-supported. The implications of the timing of his fall have to do with the glory of redemption, so even there, the debate is more than just academic. If you want to get to know the Bible and people better, read this!!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read for anyone. I'm almost certain I would have read and largely enjoyed this during the years I was a militant atheist. Individuals can easily gain insights into their own life no matter what their beliefs.

It is well written and the authors personal stories in relation to Biblical villains help readers gain empathy for how these individuals evolved into "villains." Understanding the environment that led to their undoing allows me to examine how this is happening in my life. I know I struggle with hate and rage due to past abuse and I hope this will help get me closer to where I should be. I look forward to rereading in order to gleam new information much like one does with the Bible.

The last few chapters give new insight into the motivations and misjudgements that lead to sins committed by the most notorious Biblical villains, including Judus and Satan.
I look forward to future work from the author. The pop culture references were a great bonus especially for those of us that grew up in the 80s and 90s.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and I want everyone to read it. It was so illuminating, and helped me believe even more strongly in the God I fell in love with 11 years ago, and in his word.

It's hard to read so little about a character in the Bible and not see them as anything more than a one dimensional person. But these were real people and there's not a single human on the planet that is one dimensional. I loved getting to contemplate the very real and human experiences that could have led to these people doing the things they did. It helps me understand myself more. And I pray it's not something I forget quickly as I seek to love and understand my neighbors.

This is a beautiful and convicting book. I have to admit I actually still haven't read the majority of the Bible, and wasn't already familiar with a few of the people that are featured here. But now I feel very excited to read scripture with a more open and curious heart.

[Keegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empathy for the Devil is creative, compelling, relevant, and resonant. It will make you see Bible stories in a whole new light—even if you’ve read them a million times over.

The book toggles between familiar yet completely reimagined stories from the Bible with the “villains” at the center, and candid, conversational treatments of how we see similar themes in 21st century life. The useful tack of making the reader identify with the “bad guys” serves to show that they are not that different from us, and therefore we have the same capacity for evil if we aren’t careful.

Forasteros’s writing is engaging and a joy to read, while obviously backed by intensive research of the historical, cultural, and linguistic background of each story. It’s great for laypeople and ministers alike—virtually endless fodder for personal reflection and sermon illustrations.

[Carter Hemphill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I did not always agree with the author's creative license in providing a fictional account of the motivations of the various "villains" in the Bible and the author's interpretation of Satan, I appreciated how the writer provides a convincing argument that we can learn from the poor choices that Cain, Jezebel, Herodias, Judas, and Herod made. It would be easy to misinterpret the book, thinking that the purpose is to exonerate or redeem these persons. Fortunately, the author instead stresses how these persons offer cautionary lessons for Christians today, be it our infatuation in being politically savvy or career-minded at the expense of the Gospel. This book is why I enjoy reading Christian non-fiction. It broadens your perspective and appreciation of the Bible and its value today.

[Beth M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d been skimming over the Bible’s villains for a long time now, but Empathy for the Devil broke down the wall between these villains and me. It showed me parts of my life where even in the mundane, I’m on the same path they took, using the same rationalizations.

This book made me crack open a Bible and examine my Sunday school assumptions. J.R. Forasteros’ interdisciplinary research shows where God speaks to facets of life we may never have realized. I especially appreciated the chapter on how Herodias’ family background influenced her. The story retelling chapters were super enjoyable, and the analysis chapters were a much-needed wake-up call. Empathy for the Devil is a great tool to help you read the Bible in a way that lets it transform you.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It truly is, "We desperately need empathy in our world today. The next time you come across someone who you don't understand, ask why before you rush to judgement. When others reveal themselves to be monsters, remember they are just like you. They bear the image of God. They love someone. They are hurt. Remember they have walked a path to get to where they are, just like you have walked a path to get to where you are." -JR Forasteros, pg. 209

That statement is so true.

And so is the statement, "But grace is not a limited good. God is infinite and unbound, the very creator of the universe. God cannot run out of grace." pg. 201

I may read it again later on this year and reflect. Sometimes when you read things another time, they hit differently.

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written by an iconoclastic pastor and podcaster. Each biblical "monster" is presented in two chapters: the first is an imaginative retelling of that character's story and the second is a study that explains how the author understands the story behind the story, backed by study notes.

The angles he takes on these stories may make many people uncomfortable, as they don't always like up with the "received wisdom" that they've been taught. However, if we are willing to consider different points of view and extend grace rather than stubbornly holding on to our need to be correct, there is much that can be learned here.

[Savvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How stunning and convicting to see the most notorious villains in the Word of God come to life in vignettes, and then realize their actions are rooted in sins alive in those of us who roam the earth today.
I'm still not sure how I feel about the final chapter, but it was an interesting and challenging perspective I appreciated reading.

A favorite section, from the analysis of the villain(s) Samson and Delilah: "This was Samson's failure: he refused God's calling to be holy, to be like God and unlike the world around him. The sun of Israel was called from birth to shine the light of justice and freedom but refused to shine. So the people stumbled in darkness."

[Christopher Madsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read this book in a little book group I am in with some friends. I didn't enjoy it much mostly because Christian writing is not really my thing. I found Forasteros's analysis and explanations of the motivations of bible villains interesting but I could have done without his long narratives of he incidents before hand. He starts a very compelling argument about race in American Christianity but does not follow it through.