Does true forgiveness require repentance? Embodying Forgiveness is a book that changed the game for me. It is a deeply scholarly and demanding reading. However, Jones turns our culture’s idea of forgiveness on its head with his academic treatise.
Embodying Forgiveness,
A Theological Analysis
by L. Gregory Jones
PLEASE NOTE: SOME OF THE LINKS ARE AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU, I MAY RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU PURCHASE AN ITEM.
KEEPS BLESSED REJECT RUNNING 🙂
Thank you to Tyler at The Ancient Bridge for this recommendation. I found the concepts and encouragement in this book life-changing.
Who knew repentance and forgiveness belong together!
Firstly, Jones begins with reminders, that as followers of Messiah, we are to daily die to our old self. We must live the promise of embodying a new life. The newness of life as we grow and mature will bring experience more abundantly.
Forgiveness Requires Repentance
We gain understanding that this new life should and does give a new perspective on sin, evil and of being betrayed. Victimizer or victim – we can bear to remember the past and have hope for a new future.
With great logic and love, Jones shows that biblical forgiveness is not primarily absolution from guilt. The purpose of forgiveness is the restoration of communion, the reconciliation of brokenness. (p.5)
He encourages all “people are called to embody that forgiveness by unlearning patterns of sin and struggling for reconciliation wherever there is brokenness”
Friedrich Bonhoeffer is quoted and discussed in great length. And, who better to learn about forgiveness and truth from? Bonhoeffer understood that forgiveness is a craft. One that has to be learned and become a part of ourselves, over time, as people follow whole-heartedly after God and with each other.
While Jone’s tome is no light read, it is well worth digging into and considering. As with any book, I don’t agree with every conclusion he draws or every path he goes down. However, this book has so much meat to chew on, it is a treat for the mind and soul.
Yes, forgiveness does require repentance, read
If you are looking for something deeper than cheap and meaningless grace, this is a meal of fine filet mignon.
- Uninvited by Lisa Terkuerst
- The Intimate God by Tricia Martin
- Getting to Yes with Yourself by William Ury
- Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang
- Books on Self-Discipline by Martin Meadows
- Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend
- Embodying Forgiveness by L. Gregory Jones
PLEASE NOTE: SOME OF THE LINKS ARE AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU, I MAY RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU PURCHASE AN ITEM.
KEEPS BLESSED REJECT RUNNING 🙂
I loved Uninvited!
Oh me too, Lily! Life-changer for me, yet so down to earth and easy to read. Love it.
Can I just say what a relief to discover someone who actually knows what they’re
discussing on the web. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light
and make it important. More people have to read this
and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely possess the gift.
Wow, thank you so much! Glad it resonated with you!
Thank you so so much Blessed! You are indeed the meaning of your name. I’m blessed today as read through your works. Stay blessed my sister, more grace.
Thank you so much, Beatrice – blessings to you.