Zahnd
is concerned that Christianity is in danger of fading into a kind of
cherished relic. If Christianity is to be relevant in the
twenty-first century, it needs a fresh message. Not something new or
novel, he argues, but a return to Christianity's roots.
“If
Christianity is about anything,” he writes, “it is about
forgiveness.” (xix)
As
Zahnd explores forgiveness, he notes how difficult it can be, how
much and how often we are to do it, that it is living in imitation of
Christ, its relationship to forgetting, how it affects our happiness
in the future, how it goes against many cultures (of revenge), it
requires leaving justice in the hands of God, it is the way of the
cross, and it means replacing condemnation with mercy.
He
writes about the importance of forgiveness to our own welfare as we
overcome evil with good. Our story takes a turn when we choose to
forgive. Evil is no longer the final word.
His
section on justice is thought provoking, arguing that “God
interprets justice in terms of relationship and reconciliation, not
necessarily in terms of what we might consider fair.” (121) Zahnd
reminds us, “The cross is where we do not get what we
deserve.” (126)
Zahnd
has included many inspiring stories of people who were obedient and
forgave. Many of the experiences were so painful, yet the people
forgave.
Zahnd
writes that perhaps his main motive in writing this book is “to
help recover the true beauty of Christianity as found in
forgiveness.” (xxi) He has done that well. This is an
inspiring book, reminding us to live out the essence of Christianity.
This
book is primarily for Christians. But non-Christians will find here
the essential core of Christianity, the reality of God's forgiveness
as the basis for Christians forgiving one another.
Brian
Zahnd is the author of two previous books. He and his wife live in
St. Joseph, Missouri, where they pastor Word of Life Church.
Passio,
226 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of this review.
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