Redeeming Memory: How God Transforms Memories from a Heavy Burden to a Blessed Hope

by Matt Rehrer

Memory plays an important role in the Christian life both in its proper function but also in its corruption. This book is written for Christians who suffer knowingly or unknowingly from the heavy burdens of memory like grumbling, nostalgia, bitterness, regret, shame, as well as future fears of futility and insignificance. God removes these heavy burdens by His mercy at the cross and redeems memory back to its original purpose, to glorify and worship Him.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian

214 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will definitely be on the lookout as I read Scripture now for themes of memory and remembrance! All the best Christian books drive you to read more Scripture, and this book certainly does that. I liked the blend of theology, personal stories, and scientific/medical examples. The questions at the end of each chapter were very well thought out, and helped me retain more of what I read. (Often discussion/study questions seem so canned, but I was impressed by these.) This is a great read about how to use the gift of memory, that God gave us, as a way to worship Him. It walks through the many ways our sinful nature can make memory a trap, and explains how we can instead use it as a source of joy and strength.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my friend texted me pictures of the giant book haul her husband got at ShepCon, with the offer of borrowing anything I wanted (!), this book was the one that caught my eye. I thought it might be interesting, but little did I know how deeply impactful it would become.

The short introduction hooked me. It was well-written and promised to address an issue many of us struggle with--what to do with guilt and regret in past memories. The book is more than that, though--it's also good for those grieving a loss, enduring a chronic illness, and more (basically "trials," so anyone).

It seems to me that the combination of great suffering in his personal life with seeing suffering every day in the emergency room has given Dr. Rehrer a deep understanding of how to cling to Christ. There is a respectable maturity to his words and tone.

If you think the premise of the book sounds too science-y for you, I implore you to reconsider. There are practical lessons for all Christ followers with an immense amount of hope. Scripture saturates this book, and Rehrer constantly points the reader to Christ. Additionally, he has a gift for converting technical analogies into easy-to-read passages.

God gave us a memory for a reason. His Word has many commands beginning with "remember" for a reason. Rehrer skillfully guides the reader into turning those memories into tools with which we can glorify our good Lord and to an understanding of how they will be redeemed. The book ends with a beautiful imagery of heaven that should encourage the most troubled of us all. 

Thank you, Dr. Rehrer, for taking the time to write this book. It has been a blessing.

[Cassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sets out to examine memory through the prism of the gospel. I’m torn because it contains some really solid content, but could have benefitted from being shorter and having a tighter structure. I appreciated the chapters about what memory is, how it works (neurologically), and why it’s important; how sin corrupts our memory; and how we can utilize sensory cues to help us retain important information. There was also great commentary about the significance of God’s memory and how it functions differently from ours (e.g., reconciling His perfect memory with His promise to remember our sins no longer). However, some of the chapters were convoluted, particularly the three chapters about future remembrance; there were good ideas that could have been separated from the theme of memory and explored in standalone articles, but it felt forced to fit the theme. It was like writing a book about breathing, talking briefly about the physiology of breathing and all its effects on the body, then going into great detail about how breathing is essential for getting up in the morning, doing your job, taking care of your family, eating food, etc. Memory, like breathing, is so intrinsic to every minute of our lives that it doesn’t need to be addressed in reference to every single facet of existence. I think this could have been more effective as a 6-chapter, 115-page book.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the first half of this, especially the first three or four chapters. Some really excellent observations about memory, how brains work to remember, and the use of forgetting/remembering in Scripture. Would still generally recommend it because of that.

However, the second half felt like it was all over the place and lost sight of what the book was supposed to be about... I was hoping he would talk more about memory malfunctions (like what happens when our memories don't work correctly because of disease, age, or trauma,) offer more practical suggestions to improve memory both physically and spiritually, or even discuss how to heal from particularly difficult memories (i.e. PTSD, etc.) Instead, he kind of wanders into all sorts of various general spiritual topics without really focusing on memory very coherently.

I think people wrestling with fear of dementia or other memory-impairing issues might have a hard time with this book, since it focuses so much on the importance of memory to life and spiritual growth, without really talking about what to do when it's outside your control.

He focuses pretty exclusively on how willful sin distorts memory (some extremely helpful, convicting observations there) - but barely anything on how sickness and physical injury can too.

But still. I did glean a few helpful insights from reading the beginning especially and was convicted to guard my mind more vigilantly in the ways I CAN control - or be aware of how I am doing so even subconsciously.

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a biblical counseling resource that specifically addresses people who've gone through experiences that haunt them, such as accidents, loss, trauma, and suffering.

The book is divided into 11 chapters with study questions:
🐾The Foundation of Memory
🐾The Malady of Memory
🐾The Cudgel of Corrupted Memory
🐾God's Remedy for Memory
🐾Tools to Sanctify Memory
🐾Cues to Sanctify Memory
🐾The Keys to Redemptive Memory
🐾The Fruit of Redemptive Memory
🐾 Man's Corruption of Future Remembrance
🐾 God's Redemption of Future Remembrance
🐾 God's Forever Remembrance

The book shows how our story and struggles fit within the gospel format. Original creation. The problem of sin and its effects on natural man. The solution in salvation. The tools from God in our sanctification as we struggle with hurt. Our hope for the future. Our distorted memory even now. God's unchanging character. The hope of heaven.

The discussion questions help the reader process their memories biblically without drowning in them. The objective truth of God's word anchors the soul, and the truth of our salvation is a constant comfort as we fight against sin and heal from painful memories.

[Jacquie Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the idea behind this book and some of my favorite and most helpful sentences ever came from it. You forget what you are supposed to remember and remember what you should forget while doubting that God will forget what he promised and will remember what he promised to forget. This double distortion of memory does not cancel out but rather amplifies the problem. Such a great truth!

This book is filled with rich scripture and encouraging biblical truths and also cleverly woven with examples taken from nature and how this nature exemplifies the point Dr. Rehrer is making rather brilliantly!

The only reason I did not give this review five stars is that I was really wanting greater understanding of how to take this information and make it applicable. I believe what the author is saying is vitally true, but how do we get there? He has a chapter on tools to sanctify memory. I just wanted more understanding of applicability.

[Marney Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this wasn’t what I expected it to be, I found it super helpful. The questions at the end of each chapter helped me to not just read and forget but really think through what I read and how it helped me. I especially loved the last few chapters on future remembrance. So much hope there. I love how he ended the book:
“Memory in heaven will magnify the worship of God. God created man with a memory not only to glorify Him on earth but also in heaven. The first Adam, in the garden of Eden, glorified God as King and Creator but also fell into sin. The second Adam, Jesus, walked from the garden of Gethsemane to conquer sin and death on the cross. Jesus, the Redeemer and Victor, will be remembered forever by the saints in praise at the throne of heaven. He is worthy of all your worship now and all your worship forever.”
Thank you Jesus! Thank You that I can worship you and enjoy you forever.

[Jenna Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really interesting idea. I learned a fair amount about the science of memory, and I enjoyed the author’s exploration of the interaction between memory and faith. I had never considered how the brokenness and redemption of memory intertwines with following Christ. I did find that the book was relatively poorly written, and its dogmatic practicality lacked intrigue.

[Jonathan Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, theologically rich, yet accessible and practical. Rehrer, a ER doctor speaks of his personal experiences with memory, the effects of sin and fall on memory, yet overlays it with the glorious, redemptive truth of the gospel. A very helpful book for those with or seeking to walk alongside those with traumatic memories.