The Truth About Forgiveness [Paperback]

John MacArthur (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Truth about

"The greatest measuring rod of love in the life of a Christian may be forgiveness, because God showed His love to us in terms of forgiveness." ―John MacArthur

Does anyone really want to forgive? Or admit that we need forgiveness? Whether we're giving or receiving, forgiveness is hard. It seems unfair. It feels unnatural. And as best-selling author and pastor John MacArthur demonstrates, forgiveness apart from Christ is unnatural. It is only as we understand our need, Christ's power and example, and what it reallly means to love that we can embrace two of the most liberating acts of love: forgiving and being forgiven.

The Truth About Series

For decades MacArthur has encouraged countless Christians to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible and a greater respect for God's truth. In The Truth About series, he now gathers his landmark teachings about core aspects of the Christian faith in one place. These powerful books are designed to give readers a focused experience that centers on God's character and how it applies to their daily walk of faith.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, president of the Master’s College and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. In more than four decades of ministry, John has written dozens of bestselling books, including The MacArthur Study Bible, The Gospel According to Jesus, and Slave. He and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400204151
• ISBN-13: 978-1400204151
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #870,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four grown children and fourteen grandchildren.
John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly 2,000 English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, audiotapes, and CDs by John MacArthur.
John is president of The Master's College and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Best-selling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Truth War, The Murder of Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#47 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#67 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#47 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#67 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! May 8, 2012

By Dan

Format:Paperback

I'll admit, I'm somewhat of a bibliophile, and I'm cheap. I love books. Especially free books. So when I saw I could get John MacArthur's new book in exchange for writing a review (this very review you're reading right now) I jumped at it. I've read a lot on forgiveness, both toward God and man, and was planning on taking an hour, skimming the 115 page book, and getting the next book in his series. My plan failed... Let me explain why.
From the first page, I found myself screaming "Yes!" I assumed that this was going to be a basic book, but MacArthur hits the nail on the head when dealing with reasons we don't want forgiveness. He starts by rallying against the sin as sickness mentality in one of the best presentations I've ever read (this is coming from a Biblical Counseling student. I've read about it before.) Granted, it is a few years dated (cites the DSM III-R, DSM IV-R is current [p. 5]), but it is true none the less. He describes the ways man tries to obtain forgiveness, through the law or through Christ. He cites studies and scripture, and is poignant and eloquent in doing it. I'm in love with this book... and I haven't even started chapter two.
Now chapter two: MacArthur speaks of the fact that only God can forgive sins. And Jesus forgave sins, which means that Jesus is God and forgives sins. He uses the case study of the quadriplegic lowered through the ceiling's healing to show this. He presents the story and it's meaning and implications well - he is helpful in showing the connections between healing and forgiveness, and offers a fresh (read: biblical) take on the story (not "what will you do to bring your friends to Jesus.")
Chapter three then deals with God's forgiveness in spite of who we are, not because of who we are. MacArthur speaks clearly about confession and repentance as necessary. He continues in chapter 4 to show from the Prodigal Son and story of Joseph how God actually wants to forgive. MacArthur is faithful to present the full truth of the scriptures on the issue of forgiveness. I'm glad I didn't skim like I wanted too! Chapter five finishes up the story of the Prodigal Son focusing on the father's desire to forgive.
Chapter six speaks of the narrow and wide paths, and speaks against Finny-esque easy believism. He does not (unfortunately) outline a doctrine of substitutionary atonement, but rather focuses on man's role in forgiveness with God. Which is the point of the book - and it is brief - which is why I'm keeping my "unfortunately" comment in parenthesis. Chapter seven concludes with our response: Seek forgiveness from God and forgive others.
Final Thoughts: throughout my summary, you get some of my opinions. Here are the rest. I really do like this book. Run, don't walk, to the internet and consider buying it. It's a really good book. It's very practical and not theology heavy. You can read the book quickly, I did it in one day. This is somewhat peripheral, but the binding is a little bit cheap. I'll probably have some loose pages in it because I'm bound to be lending this book out and reading it over again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Forgiveness May 4, 2012

By M. Norred

Format:Paperback

When I received "The Truth About Forgiveness" by John MacArthur, I wasn't expecting the volume of truth that's bound in this tiny book. Only a little more than 100 pages, this book is a quick read. It'll impact you completely with its amount of basic doctrine and the in-your-face way MacArthur places it to you. MacArthur uses plenty of scripture to back each statement made. It's biblically backed. The other weekend I heard a radio commercial for a local church which claimed it didn't use guilt in its messages. In this church they only show the love of Jesus. This book destroys the message of this commercial because without repentance there can be no salvation. MacArthur also uses stories of Jesus to back the point such as the paraplegic who He forgave then healed and the Pharisees reaction to the forgiveness. Forgiveness is laid out raw through this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will probably read it again. I've bragged on this book to a few friends. I've only read one other book by MacArthur, so I can't really tell if it follows in his style of writing. I can say it is incredible and I love how he speaks on the forgiveness given by Jesus. He's incredibly straightforward in a world where many weave around the truth. I plan on checking out the other two books in the series. These books will reveal truth to you concerning forgiveness. Through this book, forgiveness becomes much more real. I received this book from booksneeze.com to review, but the opinion is my own.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Strong Book, But Possibly Too Strong May 22, 2012

By Dad of Divas TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Forgiveness is something that is not always an easy thing to do in any of our lives, and in this book the author does take a stand on his own beliefs about what forgiveness means and who really can only forgive all of us, God. The book, while short (only seven chapters) places a ton of information in those short chapters. The author is very straight-forward on his thoughts and beliefs and while they are strong to me, sometimes they came across as a bit hard handed. Also, the author really hits hard with his own opinions instead of letting the reader come up with the conclusions that he was trying to have you reach (which I believe is the mark of a strong writer). I have known many people who either need forgiveness or need to find forgiveness in their own heart for someone else, and many times these people are in a fragile state for quite some time. Reading a book like this may not be the exact words that they need to get through the time that they are going through. I will say that while this book is not for everyone, the author does a good job at laying out forgiveness for all to see. The author provides a practical approach to the topic and allows the reader to take what they can from the words and opinions that he shares.