Forgiving and Reconciling

Forgiving and Reconciling - Book Review

Forgiving and Reconciling

Bridges to Wholeness and Hope

By Ev Worthington

Reviewed by

Geoffrey W. Sutton

Forgiveness and reconciliation were often topics in counseling sessions dating back to 1975. And the topics resonate because they are part of my personal life. In addition, I have studied forgiveness for nearly 20 years. All this said to provide context for my recommendation for this classic text by psychologist Dr. Ev Worthington who is now Commonwealth Professor Emeritus.

The book, Forgiving and Reconciling Bridges to Wholeness and Hope (2003) is divided into three parts. First, Worthington explains forgiveness, the importance of forgiveness, and the Christian foundation for forgiveness.

In part two, we learn about Worthington’s REACH model. The letters in REACH represent chapter titles and the steps that can help people “reach” forgiveness: R = Recall the hurt, E = Empathize (with the offender), A = (offer an )Altruistic Gift of Forgiveness, C = Commit publicly to forgive, and H = Hold on to forgiveness.

Part three consists of the four “Ds” of reconciliation. Let me pause to say that Worthington makes it clear that forgiveness and reconciliation are distinct processes. We can forgive without reconciling. The steps to achieve reconciliation involve Decisions, Discussion, Detoxification, and Devotion.

Worthington and his colleagues have published a lot of research since this book was published. However, the processes in this highly readable book remain helpful.

Availability: Amazon

Ev Worthington on Forgiveness at Biola University

Reference

Worthington, E. L. Jr. (2003). Forgiving and Reconciling; Bridges to Wholeness and Hope. InterVarsity Press.

Other books on Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Comments

Changing Our Mind by D. Gushee - Review

Changing Our Mind by David P. Gushee Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton Changing Our Mind by David P. Gushee is a transformative book that explores the author's evolving views on LGBTQ inclusion within Christianity. Gushee, a prominent Christian ethicist, shares his journey from holding traditional evangelical views to advocating for full acceptance of LGBTQ Christians in the church. He examines biblical texts and theological positions, encouraging readers to reconsider their beliefs in light of new understandings and the lived experiences of LGBTQ individuals. The book is a call for empathy, inclusivity, and a more loving faith community. ***** I read the Kindle version of the third edition of Changing Our Mind as part of my research into Christian worldviews focused on Christian moral perspectives toward people who identify as LGBTQ. I had previously addressed the topic from the perspective of moral psychology in A House Divided (2016) and in a few research studies co...

Pentecostal & Charismatic Studies- Book List & Reviews

I read a number of books reporting research with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians as a part of my own investigations and when writing Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians (2021). This book list with links to reviews or book summaries is the product of that research. I am using the concept, studies , to refer to scientific investigations that report quantitative or qualitative data. Some references refer to theorizing by scholars. I do not include religious studies or theological sources because that is not my area of expertise, although I did read several of these works in preparing the aforementioned counselling book. Key Topics: Anthropology, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Sociology, Integrating Christianity and Counseling or Psychotherapy Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians by Geoffrey W. Sutton. A summary of research studies about beliefs, pract...

Meeting Jesus Again by Marcus Borg- A Book Review

Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time By Marcus J. Borg Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton Borg begins his re-introduction of Jesus by telling us he is writing from the perspective of two worlds—the world of a religious scholar and the world of a Christian. Chapter 1 Images of Jesus are important. As children, Christians learn about Jesus as divine savior and teacher, but there’s more. He then tells us of his stressful spiritual struggle as a teenager. In my early teens, I began to have doubts about the existence of God. It was an experience filled with anxiety, guilt, and fear. I still believed enough to be afraid of going to hell because of my doubts. I felt that they were wrong, and in my prayers I would ask for forgiveness. But I couldn’t stop doubting, and so my requests for forgiveness seemed to me not to be genuine. (p.32) As many have before, Marcus prayed for help. “Every night for several years, I pr...

Interdisciplinary Book Reviews

Search This Blog