Best Resource on Forgiveness

I am looking for an academical/exegetical (if possible) resource on forgiveness. In particular, I am interested in the health benefits of forgiveness but will certainly welcome any source that is stellar in reviews (from Logos constituents).

Will check back in later tonight—thank you in advance.

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Dave Hooton

Not academic:

"Captured by Grace: No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God" , David Jeremiah

Relates the stories of John Newton and Paul the apostle to the freeing power of God's permanent forgiveness and mercy.

DAL

1. https://www.logos.com/product/55542/how-to-forgivewhen-you-dont-feel-like-it

2. https://www.logos.com/product/10139/the-freedom-and-power-of-forgiveness

There are many others, but google will give you benefits. As far as an exegetical study, you can probably do that on your own as the books I've seen they do "A Theology of Forgiveness" or they put repentance with forgiveness. Some academic some not.

DAL

Kiyah

https://www.logos.com/product/190524/forgiving-what-you-cant-forget-discover-how-to-move-on-make-peace-with-painful-memories-and-create-a-life-thats-beautiful-again

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197732#Comment_1197732

From a Mayo Clinic article:

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?

Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for improved health and peace of mind. Forgiveness can lead to:

Healthier relationships
Improved mental health
Less anxiety, stress and hostility
Lower blood pressure
Fewer symptoms of depression
A stronger immune system
Improved heart health
Improved self-esteem

Here’s the link to the article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-20047692

DAL

Puddin’

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197767#Comment_1197767

Thank you Dave, Kiyah & DAL. I actually had the book “How to forgive when you don’t want to” in mind. Had no idea that Logos carries this source. Same could be said about the other sources suggested. I am particularly interested in the referenced work regarding how to forgive when you cannot forget. I was just pondering this very question yesterday.

DAL—The Mayo Clinic article is excellent. Probably going to save it as a PDF.

Much appreciated!

Bmickey

Perhaps something like this might be of help or maybe some other counseling resource.

Hunt, June. Biblical Counseling Keys on Forgiveness: The Freedom to Let Go. Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008.

I have attached a screenshot of the TOC.

Kiyah

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197767#Comment_1197767

I agree the Mayo Clinic article is great. Super helpful. I too have saved it for current and future reference. Thanks for sharing!

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197804#Comment_1197804

I also thought I'd throw in my recommendation on a book by Philip Yancey on forgiveness that is in Logos: The Scandal of Forgiveness: Grace Put to the Test | Logos Bible Software

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197791#Comment_1197791

I was going to suggest this, but unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable in Logos. Hopefully they’ll bring the series back in the near future. I’m blessed to have both the English and Spanish version of the series.

Perhaps something like this might be of help or maybe some other counseling resource.

Hunt, June. Biblical Counseling Keys on Forgiveness: The Freedom to Let Go. Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008.

I have attached a screenshot of the TOC.

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197770#Comment_1197770

DAL—The Mayo Clinic article is excellent. Probably going to save it as a PDF.

Much appreciated!

You could create a notebook and name it Articles or something similar and then copy and paste the article into the notebook. You could also create a word document and save it as a personal book. Or you could drag the link into your favorites in Logos.

GaoLu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197823#Comment_1197823

DAL—The Mayo Clinic article is excellent. Probably going to save it as a PDF.

Much appreciated!

You could create a notebook and name it Articles or something similar and then copy and paste the article into the notebook. You could also create a word document and save it as a personal book. Or you could drag the link into your favorites in Logos.

Thanks for sharing that. I haven't done that in a while and it is exactly what I needed for a project now.

Hamilton Ramos

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1197770#Comment_1197770

Puddin':

To have an inside view of the dynamics of forgiveness (why we should, what happens when we don't, etc) try getting some of the Blake Healy books.

Supposedly he can see in a higher realm what goes on.

Rosie Perera

A little bit late to the party here, but L. Gregory Jones' Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis is excellent. Always highly recommended by my seminary professors. I've only dabbled in it, but it is by far the best book on forgiveness I've encountered.

Puddin’

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1200098#Comment_1200098

Appreciate these suggestions. I have acquired every resource suggested & planning to do a deep dive.

I suspect that harboring chronic bitterness & hatred for years on end contributes to deteriorating health issues much-much more than I (personally) have considered.

As one of my elders often states, “There are some things in that Bible that are ‘Easy Say, Hard Do’!”

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1200264#Comment_1200264

From Biblical Counseling Key on Forgiveness

B. What Is Forgiveness Not?

• Forgiveness is not letting the guilty “off the hook.” … It is moving the guilty from your hook to God’s hook.

• Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation.… It takes two for reconciliation, only one for forgiveness.

• Forgiveness is not forgetting.… It is necessary to remember before you can forgive.

There are others listed. Definitely a good guide to forgiveness.

Hamilton Ramos

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1200264#Comment_1200264

Puddin:

Even if persons do not believe in the supernatural, Blake Healy's experience can be taken as a metaphor.

My own interpretation of some of his writings:

When we are not careful with our words, we cause wounds in people.

Those wounds when not healed by God, and held on for too long (through bitterness, resentment, etc) do start to get infected, develop unusual scars, or have continuous bleeding.

Forgiveness allows healing to take place quicker so the situation does not go the way it should not.

I always knew that we were to steward the words of our mouth, but never really understood the huge responsibility that entails.

I did not understand well the dynamics of forgiveness, till read Healy's books.

As a gifted author mentioned somewhere, when you understand well the why, then the whole deal will make sense to you, and will allow you to run efforts at trying to do what is correct, help from the H.S. is super needed, but the perspective is changed by understanding, and hopefully will allow for positive transformation.

Kiyah

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1200268#Comment_1200268

From Biblical Counseling Key on Forgiveness

B. What Is Forgiveness Not?

•           Forgiveness is not letting the guilty “off the hook.” …    It is moving the guilty from your hook to God’s hook.

•           Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation.…     It takes two for reconciliation, only one for forgiveness.

•           Forgiveness is not forgetting.…     It is necessary to remember before you can forgive.

There are others listed. Definitely a good guide to forgiveness.

The article on Forgiveness in The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling makes some similar points. This of course is the key article in the Counseling Guide (at least for me it is).

Michael Kinch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1200098#Comment_1200098

A little bit late to the party here, but L. Gregory Jones' Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis is excellent. Always highly recommended by my seminary professors. I've only dabbled in it, but it is by far the best book on forgiveness I've encountered.

Thanks Rosie. I have added it to my wishlist.