A fitting illustration of the danger of peacemaking with an unrepentant abusive leader comes from a scene in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers. After the wizard Saruman’s devastating betrayal, he is finally confronted by Gandalf and Theoden, the king of Rohan. Despite the heinous and unspeakable atrocities Saruman commits, he admits no blame and shows no remorse. At the same time—and this is key—he still barters for peace with those he’s hurt. He wants what all abusive leaders want: peace without repentance and accountability.
