Unpacking Forgiveness

Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships.

"True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness.

Only God's Word can unpack forgiveness. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice.

1. Opening Credits
2. Epigraph
3. Introduction: The Forgiveness Quiz
4. Chapter 1: How to Begin Unpacking
5. Chapter 2: Motivation to Unpack
6. Chapter 3: Defining Forgiveness: The Divine Pattern
7. Chapter 4: Defining Forgiveness for Christians
8. Chapter 5: More Than a Feeling
9. Chapter 6: The Way Up Is Down
10. Chapter 7: Unpack with Great Urgency
11. Chapter 8: Should I Just Get Over It?
12. Chapter 9: How Should I Go about It?
13. Chapter 10: What If I Won’t Forgive?
14. Chapter 11: How Should I Respond to the Unrepentant? | Two Principles
15. Chapter 12: How Should I Respond to the Unrepentant? | A Third Principle
16. Chapter 13: How Can I Conquer Bitterness?
17. Chapter 14: How Can I Stop Thinking about It?
18. Chapter 15: What If Christians Cannot Agree?
19. Chapter 16: Final Thoughts
20. Appendix 1: More Forgiveness Questions
21. Appendix 2: What Other Authors Say about Conditional Forgiveness
22. Appendix 3: Biblical Words for Forgiveness
23. Closing Credits