Dr. Bill Senyard, author and pastor of Lookout Mountain Community Church near Denver, Colo. releases his new book Fair Forgiveness: Finding the Power to Forgive Where You Least Expect It to answer the question many have: Can I experience real justice this side of heaven?
The book originated out of a Forgiveness Labyrinth Senyard put together as individual stations with pre-recorded audio prompts and props for people to consider and journal about one injustice done to them, walk through a mock trial phase, take communion with the One who has paid the debt of all wrongs, and come out with the ability to forgive for what wrong he or she has endured.
The percentages of individuals who came in far from feeling like they could forgive a wrong done to them often come out with a much higher percentage of being able to forgive someone who has wronged them.
Fair Forgiveness reflects this experience and gently but genuinely guides the reader through bringing their injustice before the only One who can pardon wrongs.
Senyard says, “God never forgives crimes until they are paid for. That is the essential work of the Cross. So why do you imagine that you can forgive without first experiencing real justice? Your heart has been crying out for its rightful day in court. Welcome to Fair Forgiveness, a nine-station journey to achieve real justice. The moment you open the book you become an honored plaintiff in the trial called on your behalf."
Most people don't feel like they can just automatically hit the "forgiveness" switch because it means they'll have to accept what happen to them and act as if it didn't happen. Senyard’s message is that until you walk through a trial, understanding most people want to have a day in court for the wrong done to them, and learn to look at what was done to you as something that deserves vindication, which can only come from God, you will most likely not be able to forgive and heal as you need to.
"You've been told to choose to forgive the one who hurt you—intentionally give up your right to fairness. It sounds so reasonable, so Christ-like. It is well meaning but biblically flawed. Lasting forgiveness is a function of justice. It's not in your DNA to give up your right to fair treatment,” says Senyard.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
“…A practical intervention to help people forgive. The approach is both personal and experiential, and many people will be blessed by it. I recommend it. It will enhance your experience of forgiving.”
—International forgiveness expert Dr. Everett L. Worthington, Jr., author of Forgiving and Reconciling and Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past
“Fair Forgiveness allows readers to experience first-hand the critical link between justice and forgiveness, and then carefully shows them how to forgive otherwise unforgivable wrongs. Share this book with everyone you know. It’s that profound and life-changing.”
—David Sanford, author of If God Disappears and executive editor of Holy Bible: Mosaic
“I believe that Christian forgiveness is so broadly and harmfully misunderstood that I have great hope that this book can change the world.”
—Eric Protzman, Young Life
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