From Forgiven to Forgiving: Learning to Forgive One Another God's Way [Paperback]

Jay E. Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997

What do the following statements about forgiveness have in common? Forgiveness is obtained through apologizing. The best thing you can do is "forgive and forget". You aren't forgiven until you feel forgiven. In this book, Dr. Jay Adams carefully explores all dimensions of the process of forgiveness.A  He can help you understand biblical forgiveness from beginning to end and apply that understanding to everyday situations ranging from forgiving your straying spouse or prodigal child - and being forgiven by them as well.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Jay Adams is perhaps the most well-known Biblical Counselor in the world today and has trained thousands of others from a Biblical perspective.

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Calvary Press (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879737124
• ISBN-13: 978-1879737129
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jay E. Adams (PhD, University of Missouri) is a former director of advanced studies and professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, as well as a retired pastor. He has written over fifty books on pastoral ministry, preaching, counseling, Bible study, and Christian living. His books include Competent to Counsel, The Christian Counselor's Manual, and Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for All Christians, June 25, 2000

By 

Mark Pettigrew - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Forgiven to Forgiving: Learning to Forgive One Another God's Way (Paperback)

Forgiveness is absolutely essential to a healthy Christian life. Unfortunately, many Christians today adhere to an unbiblical concept regarding what it means to forgive, and what a Christian's responsibilities are in terms of forgiveness.

Christians are often condemned by fellow believers when they dare to express hurt or anger about wrongs which have been committed against them in the past. Frequently, the kneejerk response to such people is to preach a judgmental sermon about how they need to forgive. Such a response is often like rubbing salt into an open wound.

In the name of "wisdom," the church is guilty of failing to show compassion to those who are hurting. A large part of the blame for that lack of compassion can be assigned to the erroneous belief that Christians should never confront those who have caused them harm, nor should they tell others about the harmful things which have been done to them. This, despite the fact that the scriptures clearly tell us to confront wrongdoers, and to tell others about their wrongdoing if and when those wrongdoers refuse to repent. Such confrontation is not antithetical to true biblical forgiveness. Those who insist that it is are often motivated by a selfish desire to avoid dealing with real conflicts in need of real resolution. Since they turn a deaf ear to the burdens of others, such Christians cannot fulfill their Biblical obligation to bear one another's burdens.

Jay Adams and James Kennedy have done an enormous service to the church by illuminating the following truths regarding true Biblical forgiveness:

a.) Forgiveness is not something which is done for the sake of offering "healing" or "therapy" for the forgiver. (It may have that effect, but that is not its primary purpose.) It is done for the sake of restoring broken relationships. If it does not result in the restoration of trust in those relationships, it is not true forgiveness.

b.) While God's love for us is unconditional, His forgiveness is not. This in no way negates the fact that forgiveness is a manifestation of God's grace and mercy. We cannot earn salvation, but the fact remains that we must do certain things in order to receive it. Specifically, we must humbly ask for it.

The Bible makes it plain that our forgiveness of others is to be modeled after God's forgiveness of us. Hence, since God's forgiveness of us is conditional, so also our forgiveness of others should be conditional. Just as those who are too proud to ask God for His forgiveness cannot expect to receive that forgiveness, so also those who sin against others and refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoing cannot expect to be forgiven by those against whom they have sinned.

However, God is always willing to forgive anyone who sincerely asks for that forgiveness. Hence, we must always be open to reconciliation, and willing to forgive those who ask for forgiveness.

It is unfortunate that so many people, including many prominent born-again Christians, have been seduced by new age ideas regarding the nature of Biblical forgiveness. "From Forgiven to Forgiving" should be required reading for all pastors --- and for all Christians, for that matter.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Scriptural Book, Sensible and Down-to-Earth, March 15, 2001

By 

Edward J. Vasicek "Author, pastor, columnist" (Kokomo, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Forgiven to Forgiving: Learning to Forgive One Another God's Way (Paperback)

God forgives us conditionally, upon our repentance. God does not hold us to a higher standard than he holds himself. We forgive others in the same way God forgives us.

The authors do a fine job of discussing the many questions raised in our minds about forgiveness, and they look at the whole of Scripture to find answers. Unlike some books based more on pop psychology, this book is true to the Word. God's way is a lot more freeing than the "pretend you've forgiven when you haven't in the name of love" approach often advocated today. The best book I've found on forgiveness.

As a pastor of 22 years, I have preached and counseled these principles. Guilty consciences have been relieved and offenders have truly repented and became willing to re-establish credibility. American evangelicalism needs this book! A must for anyone who ministers to people--including dedicated laymen.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Prescription for Dealing with "Forgiveness", May 5, 2000

By 

"discerningreader" - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Forgiven to Forgiving: Learning to Forgive One Another God's Way (Paperback)

In this recently republished book, Jay Adams -- the father of "nouthetic counseling" -- explores all dimensions of the process of forgiveness. The reader will gain a practical understanding of biblical forgiveness from beginning to end.

The publishers introduce this book by asking us what the following statements about forgiveness have in common:

"Forgiveness is obtained through apologizing."

"The best thing you can do is forgive and forget."

"You aren't forgiven until you feel forgiven."

"Even if someone hasn't asked to be forgiven, you can still forgive them."

Their answer? These statements represent popular misconceptions about true biblical forgiveness. They could not be more right. Today's Christian culture has imbibed unbiblical and "worldly" notions about forgiveness. The result: our fellowships and relationships with others are marked by superficiality, avoidance, and "denial." We simply don't deal with things. (And many are taught so!)

Jay Adams offers excellent biblical driectives here -- real help for real people in real situations. Some of the topics addressed:

-- What is forgiveness?

-- How forgiveness is condition

-- Forgiveness after forgiveness

-- When you are the offender

-- What about unbelievers?

-- Dangerous shortcuts, ploys, & evasions

-- The horizontal & vertical dimensions

-- Continuing consequences

The Bottom Line: This book, now back in print due to ongoing demand, presents the Bible's simple prescription for dealing with the vital subject of forgiveness. Every Christian, particularly those who counsel others, ought to read, digest, and then practice the principles Dr. Adams sets forth here.

This is a must read.