Forgiveness: Following Jesus Into Radical Loving

by Paula Huston

Are you able to forgive those who have hurt you?

If you find it difficult to forgive, this book is your encouragement.

If you’re having trouble accepting forgiveness for something you have done, this is your inspiration.

With honesty, writing about her own failings, Paula Huston examines the intellectual, psychological, social, and spiritual meanings of forgiveness. She asks tough questions and then offers possible solutions, drawing a portrait of a truly forgiving person.

“One of Jesus’ most mind-boggling declarations is that we who hope to follow him must first be willing to forgive the people who have hurt us. Not only does this injunction show up at the heart of the prayer he offers to his disciples (“Give us this day our daily bread…”) but he restates it as a requirement for salvation: “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt. 6:11-15)

“He also tells us that if we wish to live in relationship with God, we must first seek forgiveness from those we’ve hurt: “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Mt. 5:23-24). Our damaged relationships with other people, especially when we are responsible for that damage, have a direct effect on our friendship with God.”

Genres: Christian Living

298 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jessica Cleghorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting- but much, much better. Food for thought in a memoir that is real and not self-glorifying or condemning. I really enjoyed this , and would consider picking up a copy for future reference.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely altered my perspective and literally changed my life. This is one I will purchase and read again and again.

[Dottie Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness is a profound book on the difficult issue of coming clean and forgiving all those in our past who have hurt us. It is a book teaching us how to follow Christ in every day life. This involves radical loving as the subtitle suggests. It also involves a great deal of soul searching. Paula Husted reveals her own struggles in forgiving others and in forgiving herself. Her journey in forgiveness led her to become an oblate – a lay member of a monastic community. This is a book that must be read over and over. Gems of wisdom jump from every page.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a penance received during a Lenten Reconciliation Service. Forgiveness is not easy business for most humans, and I am no exception. I found myself thinking about certain individuals while reading, and frustrated by my inability to forgive them. This book has great ideas, and we all have to start somewhere.

[M Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a spiritual memoir/pop theology than a serious work on forgiveness. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Huston is an engaging writer. Her topic is an important one and she taps into the best tradition of many faiths in her ruminations.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonder who else has read this book and what did you think?

[JoAnn J. A. Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on forgiveness. It gives concrete examples of how forgiveness can effect lives.

I highly recommend this book.

[Nan Smith]

Excellent! Well written, thoughtful and insightful.