Why Forgive (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Little more than a series of anecdotes, this quick read might not be noteworthy were it not for its profound and always timely subject matter. Arnold, a pastor and author whose admirers range from the evangelical Right to the secular Left, tells story after story of people who have forgiven despite unfathomable personal tragedy and a vengeful cultural climate. Readers may recognize many of these tales from Oprah, Guideposts and other purveyors of inspiration, but they are no less remarkable the second or even third time around. Despite the fact that he weaves so little analysis in between these anecdotes, Arnold manages to drive home several points that unequivocally answer his titular question, the most powerful of which is that no one, whether victim or perpetrator, can heal until forgiveness is granted. Not one to engage in long theological explorations, Arnold instead allows many of his subjects to speak for themselves in extended quotations, allowing insight into their desperate, brokenhearted rage. Some of these subjects, such as Mumia Abu-Jamal, ultimately choose not to forgive, while others describe a force beyond their conscious control that makes forgiveness inevitable. Arnold also writes about everyday forgiveness in marriage, families, communities and the workplace. In all cases, he reminds us that to forgive is neither to excuse nor to anesthetize ourselves from the pain that attends life and love, but rather to enter again into life's fray. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Arnold ventures beyond biblical cliches to delve into the hearts and minds of victims of unforgivable acts. -- Independent Publisher, Linda J. Thorlakson

Beautiful...this is a book the whole world needs. -- Madeleine L'Engle, author, A Wrinkle in Time

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House; 2 Revised edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874869064
• ISBN-13: 978-0874869064
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving book, April 16, 2001

By	Chloe Bramley (alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Why Forgive? Hard as it may be this book shows in a simple and powerful way that the only way to true freedom is through forgiveness. While bitterness seems the roads to take and hatred towards those who have hurts us the excepted emotion, Arnold dares to tells us the true stories of people who choose the road less travel and in the end found the freedom to let go and change their world by forgiving. He also gives us a look into the lives of those who choose to be angry, only to destroy themselves. This book is moving and powerful, it is a striking lesson of something most people and talkshows refuse to speak about. I only pray that people out their struggling with bitterness and revenge read this book and know there is another way.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sr Ann Laforest, Carmelite nun, letter to the author, February 19, 2000

By	Sister Ann Laforest (Garrison, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Forgive? (Hardcover)

The beauty of the book mesmerized me instantly, and I could not put it down. Your message seems very focused on today's milieu. Not everyone can understand forgiveness. You have taken people where they are. You say between the lines that you respect them where they are. You show them where the light at the end of the tunnel can be found, but you do not blind anyone with the light. You allowed them to take whatever time they may need to let their eyes get "light-adapted." You show them how the next step may be taken when they are ready, and that it will lead them toward the light. This is quite remarkable pastorally. The stories are marvelous. John Plummer's tearful embrace of Kim is indelibly etched in my memory. The story of Mottlingen has ever fascinated me. I pray this book will be a source for changing many hearts...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a totally uplifting book., February 12, 2000

By	Thomas Martin (Koblenz, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Forgive? (Hardcover)

I've already read the book through twice. The first time in one sitting. I ordered another copy for a friend, but I'm keeping mine to read again. This is a totally uplifting book. Definitely a five-star!

"Why Forgive?" brings a simple, but powerful message. Every time we experience something painful, it opens the door to choose either bitterness or compassion. If we choose bitterness and hatred, we give other people the power to ruin our lives. If we choose compassion and forgiveness, we find an inner peace that no one can take away from us. Arnold brings many stories to support this simple point. Some are tragic stories far outside the normal experience of most people. Some are almost mundane stories from the everyday lives of ordinary people. The combination illustrates how forgiveness is just as important in small grudges as in the dramatic life stories of faraway people. I'm totally inspired.

Thomas Martin Koblenz, Germany