Here’s an excerpt: “Bitterness is like mercury. Brauns is reformed, Piperian, and gospel-centered, and he demonstrates the ability to offer really helpful practical steps by which forgiveness is achieved rather than an amorphous theological framework that does little to actualize mercy and grace. If this is an area of struggle for you–and it is for many of us– buy this book. His book is the rich, deep meditation of a faithful shepherd who wants to help Christians practice forgiveness of both big and small sins. Brauns, pastor of the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL, has done so. If youve sensed that forgiveness really needs to be unpacked both in theory and in practice, then Braunss book is for you.Many of us are familiar with the basics of Christian love, but few of us think extendedly about how difficult it can be to love others who sin against us. "The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God." Unpacking Forgiveness may surprise you, because it goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of Gods grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice. "Only God's Word can unpack forgiveness," explains Brauns. What is most true about forgiveness is that it can only be understood in light of Scripture. But where the quiz raises questions, the book provides answers. Unpacking Forgiveness, by Chris Brauns, opens with an eight question, true-false quiz designed to guide readers to the heart of our confusion about forgiveness. And so do the people at your office, in the pews of your church, and maybe even within your own home.
Rachael Starke, "True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." The answer is false the truth is that pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. But even more compelling is the way he clearly teaches from Scripture what true forgiveness looks like and how giving and receiving it can be the key to greater joy and effectiveness as a believer.įor any Christian who has ever needed forgiveness, or who is struggling to offer it to someone else, this is a must read book. Brauns offers up his own definition, based upon the language of Paul and others throughout Scripture, namely, that forgiveness is a commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated. He then proceeds to unpack this definition, using a number of Scriptural texts as well as stories and anecdotes from his experience as a counselor and pastor.īrauns style is clear and easy to understand, and the many interesting stories he tells serve to make the book truly compelling reading. Significant among them is the idea that we can or must forgive those who have not asked for or demonstrated repentance. The book begins with a quiz which identifies many of the most commonly-held misconceptions of forgiveness held by many Christians. In his first book, Unpacking Forgiveness, Chris Brauns carefully lays out the reasons why true, biblical forgiveness is more complicated than many think, and also argues convincingly that it is an essential characteristic of a committed, forgiven, follower of Christ.
#UNPACKING FORGIVENESS HOW TO#
But for many Christians, especially those who are in the midst of a serious conflict with someone, the topic of how to approach forgiveness biblically is a challenging one. Jesus purchase of our forgiveness on the cross is one of the most pivotal themes of the Bible. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness. The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. "True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships.
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