Forgiven and Forgiving

Rating:
Summary: Gentle and Revolutionary
Review: I'm reading this book as part of a Lenten study series. At first I was relieved to find out that forgiveness bore little resemblance to my preconceptions of it (mainly denial). But this little book deepens quickly, and I've found myself looking at forgiveness in an entirely different way.

For one thing - if you've ever hesitated in living your life for fear of offending others, you'll learn that forgiveness is a life long process, and that apologies are nothing to fear. Forgiveness draws us deeper into life, closer to our own desires, and into more authentic relationships with others.

For someone like me who SO enjoys plotting revenge (though I rarely carry it out) this book has been tranformative.

Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and intelligent treatment of a crucial topic
Review: In "Forgiven and Forgiving," L. William Countryman engages the topic of forgiveness from a gospel perspective, especially how it fits into the Christian life, and how it contributes to the "forgiver's" sense of self, spirituality and quality of life. Mr. Countryman neither minimizes nor glosses away important issues such as abuse, pain, suffering, anger or fear; nor does he participate in sugar-coating, guilt trips, self-hatred, sanctimoniousness or denial.

Instead, this work illuminates the gradual, often difficult and painful, process of conversion needed to experience God's love and forgiveness and the realization that ultimately, every human being, each of us, will need to be forgiven for *something*. Mr. Countryman also reminds us that as we grow into our experience of God's love, forgiveness becomes that much easier, an extension of the wonderful love and support we feel. A very good, very healing, book, both religious and spiritual in the truest sense of the words.