The Power of Forgiveness
by Kenneth Briggs
Published by Fortress Press
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Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
(Based on a film by Martin Doblmeier)
When we’ve been wronged, at least a small part of us generally wants to pay back evil for evil. Give that old so-and-so what he deserves. Where does forgiveness come into play?
In The Power of Forgiveness, a book based on the film of the same name, Kenneth Briggs delves into the murky subject of forgiveness. Where does the strength and desire to forgive come from? What are the benefits? How does one go about performing an act of forgiveness? Who is benefited, the forgiver or the forgiven?
Looking into the way different religions perceive and practice forgiveness, we discover it is a common theme. Though the wording is different, the premise really isn’t. And there are health benefits to forgiving as well, as social scientists are now discovering. But there is also difficulty to the process of forgiveness. There isn’t usually a clear hero and villain. In marriages and in the workplace, there are often wrongs on both sides of the equation. Forgiving others and even forgiving oneself has its difficulties.
Though it is well written and covers the topic thoroughly, with interesting essays and speeches included, I found this book difficult to read. I’m not sure if it is the format, or the subject matter, but it took great diligence to finish the book. It was just rather dry and read like a thesis paper in many places. I did really enjoy the section on forgiveness being a two-way street and especially his take on the marital relationship and also those people who don’t think they need forgiveness.
If you are really struggling with the need to forgive or be forgiven, or are highly interested in it as a subject of study, this is probably the book for you. If you are a “Jo Schmo” that needs to forgive and be forgiven for those petty everyday offenses but not much more, I would probably point you to the Bible or one of the other great self-help books out there as a better resource.
Armchair Interviews agrees.