Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis

by L. Gregory Jones

A topic unjustly neglected in contemporary theology, forgiveness is often taken to be either too easy or too difficult. On the one hand is the conception of forgiveness that views it mainly as a move made for the well-being of the forgiver. On the other hand, forgiveness is sometimes made too difficult by suggestions that violence is the only effective force for responding to injustice.

In this exciting and innovative book, L. Gregory Jones argues that neither of these extreme views is appropriate and shows how practices of Christian forgiveness are richer and more comprehensive than often thought. Forgiveness, says Jones, is a way of life that carries with it distinctive concepts of love, community, confession, power, repentance, justice, punishment, remembrance, and forgetfulness.

In Part 1 of Embodying Forgiveness Jones first recounts Dietrich Bonhoeffer's own struggle against the temptation to make forgiveness either too easy or too difficult in his thought and, even more, in his life and death at the hands of the Nazis. Jones then considers each of these temptations, focusing on the problem of "therapeutic" forgiveness and then forgiveness's "eclipse" by violence. Part 2 shows why a trinitarian identification of God is crucial for an adequate account of forgiveness. In Part 3 Jones describes forgiveness as a craft and analyzes the difficulty of loving enemies. He deals particularly with problems of disparities in power, impenitent offenders, and the relations between forgiveness, accountability, and punishment. The book concludes with a discussion of the possibility of certain "unforgiveable" situations.

Developing a strong theological perspective on forgiveness throughout, Jones draws on films and a wide variety of literature as well as on Scripture and theological texts. In so doing, he develops a rich and comprehensive exploration of what it truly means to embody Christian forgiveness.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Philosophy, Spirituality, Christian Living

333 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[Paul Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think an explanation for the diverse responses to Embodying Forgiveness by Goodread readers may be found in the distinction between style and content. The style is as one reviewer mentioned 'academic' whereas theme wise the book is a truly beautiful theological inquiry concerning forgiveness and why we moderns have such a difficulty embodying it. Unfortunately, the style at times borders on pedantic. Its only a guess but I sense this was a reworked Doctoral thesis.

The highlights of this book include a critique of our modern habit of substituting psychological language for theological analysis. Jones contrasts Scriptural forgiveness with therapeutic righteousness and warns against the dangers of being too quick to apply cheap grace or too despairing to hope. The bass note of the book is the need for communities that inculcate habits or practises of forgiveness and whose memory is formed through Baptism and Eucharist. There is a definite leaning toward virtue ethics and character development grounded in a new identity patterned after the life, death, resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Jones augments this fundamental narrative with selections from modern novelists.

Personally I found his appeal to Thomist philosophy unconvincing especially regarding just war and the need for punishment vs. rehabilitation in the penal system. Volf and Moltmann have correctives to this perspective as do many Anabaptist writers. Jones' perspectives are not punitive in intention however since punishment and correction is aimed at restoration ultimately.

The book is most definitely worth the effort of the reader. And to truly integrate its message a second reading is a must.

[Jamie Howison · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much to be learned (and hopefully integrated...) from this book, and I'd commend it to anyone who really wants to wrestle through questions of forgiveness and the theology that informs it. It is a bit theologically thick, and at times I really wished it had less focus on "worst case" scenarios (the transgressions of Naziism, for instance, or cases of murder) and more on what most of us typically face in the day to day of our own lives; both our transgressions, and the ways in which we have been transgressed. Still, if you are prepared to spend the time going through those worst cases, there is much that applies to what most of us will need to work through personally.

[Timothy McCluskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book. Jones' book is an antidote to the belief 'that love means never having to say you are sorry.' Forgiveness is costly grace.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One manifestation of the hope of the Gospel and of our holiness is seen as we become people whose forgiven-ness is found not only in thanksgiving for a transfigured past, but also in active, holy witness that embodies such forgiveness in relationship with others."

I found this really difficult to read, since it is a theological deep dive that seems to require a lot of interest in theological deep dives. Even so, Jones so beautifully describes a forgiven person's changed outlook that I'll probably be hard pressed to find a more motivating commentary on biblical forgiveness.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scattered thoughts--

Incredibly helpful work regarding the nature of Christian forgiveness. Grounds forgiveness in the narrative of the Triune God who gave Himself and emptied Himself for His enemies. Sees forgiveness as a Spirit-empowered inbreaking of the Kingdom of God with the telos of reconciliation and ultimately, communion - with God, others, and creation.
Works to resist (and critique) abstract notions of forgiveness and instead sees forgiveness as a 'craft' that takes time to cultivate, and ultimately must be cultivated within the context of Christian community - where we unlearn habits and practices of diminution and destruction and learn habits and practices of reconciliation and love.
Also helpful in addressing various critiques of forgiveness - such as the 'therapeutic' which takes one's own sin too lightly and the Nietzschean critique that sees the 'will to power' and domination as the central principle of the world.

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author delves headlong into an examination of forgiveness which, in turn, becomes quite involved and leads to moral and ethical questions. The topic is dealt with in light of the redemptive power of Christ. The book is written in an academic style, thus, there are sections that the reading can be quite intense. Over all, the author does a fine job of analyzing and unpacking the concept of forgiveness from both the victim and offender's perspective. The three stars, rather than four, are due to the wordiness the author lends himself to. Some of his arguments would have been more effective if somewhat condensed. I only give five stars if a book is, in my opinion, phenomenal in its genre. This was a three star.

[Leslie Fields]

Deep theological treatment of the subject of forgiveness. Orr is not afraid to challenge the popular forgiveness-as-self-therapy practice that is prevalent inside and outside the church. It's fairly heavy reading, pretty academic language--and he's notably long winded, but there are marvelous truths here that challenge us to a deeper understanding of forgiveness.

[Kris]

Mentioned on the White Horse Inn podcast.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

To put it mildly, that was impossible to read!