The Scandal of Forgiveness: Grace Put to the Test

by Philip Yancey

Discover the true depth of what forgiveness is, what it demands of you, and how it sets you free. Forgiveness offers an alternative to an endless cycle of resentment and revenge that we often see in this world, but it can be difficult to understand its true power without first understanding God’s scandalous grace and forgiveness of us. In The Scandal of Forgiveness —an adaptation of the bestselling book What’s So Amazing About Grace? —author Philip Yancey will take you on an exploration of forgiveness and its clear connection to the gospel. You’ll learn The Scandal of Forgiveness reveals how you can adopt the forgiveness the world is searching for. You’ll learn how to authentically forgive and grow closer in your relationship with God

Genres: Christian, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Theology, Spirituality

160 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Philip Yancey earned graduate degrees in Communications and English from Wheaton College Graduate School and the University of Chicago. He joined the staff of Campus Life Magazine in 1971, and worked there as Editor and then Publisher. He looks on those years with gratitude, because teenagers are demanding readers, and writing for them taught him a lasting principle: The reader is in control!

In 1978 Philip Yancey became a full-time writer, initially working as a journalist for such varied publications as Reader’s Digest, Publisher’s Weekly, National Wildlife, Christian Century and The Reformed Journal. For several years he contributed a monthly column to Christianity Today magazine, where he also served as Editor at Large.

In 2021 Philip released two new books: A Companion in Crisis and his long-awaited memoir, Where the Light Fell. Other favorites included in his more than twenty-five titles are: Where Is God When It Hurts, The Student Bible, and Disappointment with God. Philip's books have won thirteen Gold Medallion Awards from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, have sold more than seventeen million copies, and have been published in over 50 languages. Christian bookstore managers selected The Jesus I Never Knew as the 1996 Book of the Year, and in 1998 What’s So Amazing About Grace? won the same award. His other recent books are Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God’s Image; Vanishing Grace: Bringing Good News to a Deeply Divided World; The Question that Never Goes Away; What Good Is God?; Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?; Soul Survivor; and Reaching for the Invisible God. In 2009 a daily reader was published, compiled from excerpts of his work: Grace Notes.

The Yanceys lived in downtown Chicago for many years before moving to a very different environment in Colorado. Together they enjoy mountain climbing, skiing, hiking, and all the other delights of the Rocky Mountains.

Visit Philip online:
https://www.philipyancey.com
https://www.facebook.com/PhilipYancey

Catch his monthly blog:
https://bit.ly/PhilipYanceyBlog

Reviews

[Michael Heidle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Challenging Read

Yes, I labelled this "A Very Challenging Read" -- not because the words, phrases, concepts are difficult to understand, but because it is the BEST book on forgiveness I think I've ever read and yet it showcases the reality that real forgiveness is very rare and absolutely unnatural! This certainly explains precisely why I have not received forgiveness from others no matter how dramatically I have sought it (forgiveness from the Lord, yes; from church leaders, family, friends... not so much); but even more challenging to me because it has a finger on my pulse as well as to how poorly I have been able to offer forgiveness to others! Challenging indeed; thought provoking and inspirational absolutely!! I shall not soon forget this book! Who am I kidding I will desperately need to read it again soon!!!

[Denise Plank · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister gave me this book for Christmas, and, while it was on the To Read shelf, it was just sitting there. Then I started reading a book about life not being as it is supposed to be, which led to putting it down 1/2 way through, picking up another book that is mentioned several times in the previous book (and I haven't read yet, although it, too, is on my shelf), then realizing that I wasn't going to get much further in THAT book unless I did a deeper dive into forgiveness. I went and found this book.

I have finished reading Scandal, but it will stay with me. It is a "thinking" book. (I have yet to read a Yancey book that DIDN'T stick with me, to be honest!) It will be read again, promise!

One of the things that I love most about Yancey's books is that he has a way of taking tough subjects (like forgiveness in light of atrocities, etc) and working through them so that the subject makes sense.

I have never once been challenged to think of forgiveness in light of how it affects the "forgiver", until this book.

I have been distressed by the writers who present forgiveness as something you just do (like Nike's slogan) and get over it--easy-breezy. But, I have never found that to be possible. Forgiveness isn't easy, and it certainly didn't blow through like a light, lilting breeze and I was lifted and free because it was all gone! No, I have found forgiveness to be hard, messy, and unfortunately, I haven't wanted to forgive because it felt like that let the other person off the hook, and that person could hurt me all over again. But Yancey addresses this in a way that makes so much sense and gave me room to have my feelings, but forgive, anyway. It also gave room for boundaries with that person without being hard-nosed and....ungraceful.

Someone else here has pointed out that some of this material is taken from other of Yancey's books, but, I'm okay with that. If this little book took previous thoughts and made them more understandable, it was worth it.

Would I read it again? Yes, absolutely. There's so much in here to learn and think about that I'm never going to get it all in one reading. Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY. WITHOUT ANY RESERVATIONS. Please read the book! It is well worth your time and effort!

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an interesting book written from the perspective of God's perfect love, how grace is freely offered to us and how we should offer it freely to others. Readers can reconsider our understanding of mercy and grace and our attitudes toward offenders. The writer points out the futility of seeking revenge, giving many relevant examples of grace and ungrace.

[Kathy Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yancey challenges the reader to consider what forgiveness and grace really is and what impact it has on the person choosing to live a life of this. Worth a read!

[Mary Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first journey into Yancy’s work. While the title, The Scandal of Forgiveness, is provocative, this small (less than 150 pages) work is profound in its depth and breadth of analysis on the essentially and power of forgiveness. No hyperbole intended, it offers real applicability for personal, professional, and political growth/healing for individuals, groups, and nation states. It will not be my only Yancy reading.

[Mike Harreld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely truth

I so needed these reminders right now in my life. I’m feeling much like a failure in need of forgiving myself. I’m redeemed by the grace of God

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it was written recently, it’s written in a similar way to CS Lewis’s books where the message will hold up very well over time. Yancey brings in a lot of political and cultural concerns around forgiveness that are more relevant than ever, particularly with current Middle Eastern tensions. I like his emphasis on how unfair it is to forgive and how that is a natural feeling, and how that is the point when it comes to the gospel. I liked his analysis of scripture in how God takes that burden of us to be the ones to impart ultimate justice, that we don’t have to have that responsibility. And, forgiveness is not the same as pardoning. We can still hold others accountable, there can still be natural consequences to actions. I liked a lot of his analogical framing, particularly with AA. He lost me a bit at the end where he started talking about “love the sinner, hate the sin.”

[Rick Farlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

RECOMMENDED

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this Chirp Audiobook on forgiveness… The writing style of Phillip Yancy reminds me of Max Lucado, but it’s more edgy. They both tell you a story and follow it up with an explanation of how it relates to Christ or our Christian principles and perspective. Max often relates the “story” of his own life experience’s while Phillip slaps his readers in the face and then goes on to explain why forgiveness is necessary. This is a good audiobook, narrated well, and highly recommended.

[JournalsTLY]

" ... forgiveness don’t erase the past - it opens up the future by blocking the past from poisoning the future".

We live in a world of "un-grace" - where unforgiveness follows many a person to his or her grave.

Philip Yancey is not crusading for forgiveness. He points us to the hope that God has for each one - that forgiveness allows new life.

In movie Last Emperor … the boy emperor was asked - what is you do something wrong . The boy replies “someone gets punished". He breaks a jar and one of the servants is beaten. Un-forgiveness punishes myself and others.

[Thelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart humbling treatise of forgiveness and grace.

"Grace teaches us that God loves us because of who God is, not because of who we are."

"The world thirsts for grace. When grace descends, the world falls silent before it."

"Forgiveness breaks the cycle of blame and loosens the stranglehold of guilt."

"Forgiveness is not just an occasional act: it is a permanent attitude." --Martin Luther King Jr

"The past must be remembered before it must be overcome."

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in my second reading of this little book. There is so much to absorb. Forgiveness is tough, especially when one forgives as Christ would forgive. Philip Yancey spared nothing. It is definitely a good read and I would encourage all to read this little book. I would love to do a book study on it with a group.

[Kathy Roski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book.

This book made me see forgiveness in a different way. I thought I knew what it was but it is much deeper than I believed. It truly can change the life of the life of the person who forgives. It is much deeper than just saying " I forgive you," it actually helps your Spirit grow in love, compassion and kindness. I know I will read this book again.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is no theological treatise on forgiveness but a helpful booked based on the authors experiences and stories. As with all Yancey books, this is challenging and I leave aware of my own failings. I’d have given another star but some of the material is in his other books.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yancey at his best. A gem of a book!

[Judibea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

[Eric Schonblom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with this book, just not my cup of tea. It didn't hold my interest, and I was a long time finishing it.

[Mijijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

always enjoy yancey's writing style

[Jandré Vorster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to cry and receive God's love?

[Jana Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging but true. Well timed for our divided days.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching stories that really make me think!