Unpacking forgiveness
Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness.
The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. 'True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place.' This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. I recommend that you do just that." - Tim Challies, blogger, Challies.Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships. Because it deals biblically with a subject of universal importance, any reader can benefit from reading Unpacking Forgiveness. With humor at times and appropriate gravitas at others, Brauns leads the reader first to understand and then to apply what the Bible teaches on forgiveness. Relying on his experience as a pastor and his deep knowledge of Scripture, he provides what is a logical, well-illustrated book on the subject. In Unpacking Forgiveness, Chris Brauns eschews the easy answers and looks to the Bible to provide God's wisdom on how and when we are to forgive. Living as we do in a fallen world, we are given endless opportunities both to extend and to seek forgiveness. "There are few things more unnatural and few things more holy than forgiveness. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi Brauns writes from the standpoint of a faithful, wise, experienced, and caring pastor who has seen the heartbreak of an unforgiving spirit at work in the lives of people, but also the power of grace in the hearts of Christians who have learned to forgive and be forgiven." - J. Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds is an engaging, convicting, but emphatically encouraging treatment of this hugely important (and sometimes mind-bogglingly challenging) part of life. Christians need to know what the Bible teaches and live it out, radically. "There is no more common or urgent pastoral need in the church today than to cultivate the gospel practice of forgiveness. Every Christian will profit from reading and applying this book." - Jerry Bridges, author, The Pursuit of Holiness Now Christopher Brauns has done a magnificent job in helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. "Forgiveness of one another is one of the most important subjects in the Bible, and yet one so often misunderstood. This is a diligent work with heart." - Scott Willis Chris not only has confirmed answers that we had found but has thoroughly sorted out what it takes to be right with God and man. Grieving the loss of our six children in a van accident and then being reminded of that loss throughout thirteen years of subsequent battles forced us to search the Scriptures concerning the issue of forgiveness.
Unpacking Forgiveness wisely prepares us for the aftermath. He has studied and spoken extensively on the topic of forgiveness. He earned his MBA from Northern Iowa University, MDiv from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. How Should I Respond to the Unrepentant? – A Third PrincipleĪppendix 2: What Other Authors Say about Conditional ForgivenessĪppendix 3: Biblical Words for ForgivenessĬhris Brauns is senior pastor at the Congregational Christian Church of Stillman Valley, Illinois. How Should I Respond to the Unrepentant? – Two Principlesġ2. Defining Forgiveness: The Divine Patternġ1. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice.ģ. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. "True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships.