The chance to write a book is not an opportunity to give a definitive and final word. Only one book is a definitive and final word. For those who are “always reforming” / semper reformanda, being an author is an opportunity to enter into a great conversation. In writing, Unpacking Forgiveness, I was given a seat at the table and the chance to make carefully measured statements about a topic that is central in life. It is a joy.
What is a particular blessing with the advent of blogs is that the “table” of those talking and listening is suddenly much larger. Ten years ago, a book like mine would have received only modest interaction. But, now I hear from people around the world.
In the last week, I have heard from two different people sources about Unpacking Forgiveness. In different ways, they both made suggestions for how UF might be improved. One person wrote a thoughtful email about the relationship between reconciliation and forgiveness.
I read a review today from a blog that I think is an excellent contribution to the forgiveness conversation. And, that isn’t because it’s all “blue sky.” In fact, the reviewer makes this point:
Speaking of pain, Brauns is not afraid to bring in examples that are harrowing to read. The nature of the illustrations serves the points that are being made, not least by driving home the gulf that a forgiving spirit is ready and willing to cross. At the same time, certain examples are unpleasant, and some might feel that their use constitutes overkill. The same point could be made with less extreme examples, and perhaps with a little less detail. There is a danger of inviting readers to indulge in “forgiveness voyeurism” where the grossness of the sins forgiven becomes more interesting than the matter of forgiveness itself.
Click here to read the whole thing.
If you click through to the review, you can see the feedback I gave. The bottom line is, he might be right. One of the most difficult aspects of preaching and teaching is drawing the line about how to illustrate points. When I wrote, Unpacking Forgiveness, I was determined to not write a book that deal with the superficial sleights that so many get upset about. But, I may have leaned to far in the direction of talking about the really deep wounds people receive.
What do you think? It’s your chance to sit down at the table and talk forgiveness.
You can find the link to more reviews of Unpacking Forgiveness here.
Our small group spent several weeks reading and discussing UF and though we were not afraid to express differing thoughts, no one expressed an opinion that your illustrations were too graphic or violent.
As a victim of a violent crime, I tend to avoid reading the situations you described as a way of protecting my mind, but I found them helpful in UF for two reasons: 1)I was reminded that if the Christians involved in those situations could forgive and/or be forgiven, then so could I, and 2) I was convicted regarding those “superficial sleights” when compared to the deep and painful wounds in far more intense situations.
JMHO. But if the description of these situations are too offensive to some, maybe a disclosure up front would be helpful.
Let me take this opportunity to once again thank you for writing this book, Chris. I thought I had a good understanding of Biblical forgiveness until I read UF. Not only did I resolve a few issues I had buried as we worked through UF with our small group, but I have had multiple opportunities to use what I learned in my relationships since.
Hi Chris,
Thank you for posting this review.
For whatever it is worth, the illustrations worked for me. Mr. Walker is right to say that some of the examples were very “harrowing” to read. However, I feel they served an important purpose. On a personal level, it assured me that the teacher who was asking me to line up biblical truth with my experience understood that my experience was just that – “extreme” and “unpleasant”. On this topic, where so much of the teaching out there is trivial and superficial, the examples helped me to trust that the author had “complex” and “deep” in mind. So, to that extent, I felt the illustrative points were not just value added but necessary.
I thought you handled the illustrations well. I appreciate your humility in considering whether or not you went too far, but I’d say you did a great job with sensitive real-life stories.
Theologically speaking, since God is sovereign, we must take a deep breath and learn what He’s teaching us from the most difficult situations in life.
Use extreme examples. The extremes are sometimes real life for some people and helpful for bringing perspective to less extreme situations.
Chris,
I really appreciate your view concerning the conversation that is a book, and your ability to read and absorb various reviews is commendable. We tend to get very attached to what we write, but it is the ability to separate and receive feedback that enhances the “conversation.”
I’m with the others who have already posted, Chris. I don’t think that your illustrations went too far, but did quite well in the purpose they were meant to serve.
I could possibly understand some questioning the use of the movie “A Time to Kill” for various reasons.
I also agree that it is encouraging to see your humble response to his criticisms.
I have to say when I first read the illustrations my first thought was I could have done without reading that. I tend to be very cautious about what I read or view because I have a tendency to remember things a little too vividly. Things stick with me. It’s probably an after effect from my own traumatic past. Whatever it is it’s something I know about myself and am careful about.
With that said though I do not feel they took away from the book. I believe they served an important role. The reality is those illustrations ARE reality. They are the real issues we unfortunately have to deal with. I do not believe we can sanitize this world as Christians. When you deal with hard topics you get hard illustrations. (Just think if we sanitized the Bible itself of graphic illustrations. We’d lose multitudes of pages!)
Now did they trouble me? Yes. Did they stick with me? Most definitely. I believe the reason for them though is what matters…did they help me? Yes, yes they did. I do not believe the book would have been the same with simple, sappy illustrations.
That’s just my two cents.
I do remember wishing that there was a warning before the story of the car accident. I read this right before bed and I have to say that I had a difficult time falling asleep afterwards. However, there are also passages of Scripture that I wouldn’t choose to read right before falling asleep. From what I’ve read of Scripture, God doesn’t shy away from harrowing stories.
The stories pointed me to see how petty my forgiveness stories really are and far above, how powerful the gospel and costly the Cross.