Art of Forgiveness

Philip Halstead lectures in applied theology with a specialty in pastoral care and counseling at Carey Baptist College.Myk Habets is dean of faculty, lecturer in systematic theology, and head of Carey Graduate School, Carey Baptist College.

• Introduction: The Art of Forgiveness - Philip Halstead and Myk Habets Part One: The Art of Forgiveness: Theological and Biblical Foundations 1.“To Err is Human, to Forgive is Divine”: The Ontological Foundations of Forgiveness - Myk Habets 2.Drawing Pictures in Water: The Place of Penitence in the Art of Forgiveness - Kit Barker3.The Unforgivable Sin in the Old Testament? - Csilla Saysell4.“To See Your Face is like Seeing the Face of God”: Pastoral and Systemic Reflections on Forgiveness and Theosis in the Jacob Story - Jonathan R. Robinson5.A Second Temple Context for Jesus’ Teaching on Interpersonal Forgiveness - Richard Neville6.The Art of Forgiveness in Luke’s Gospel - Sarah Harris7.Forgiveness: An Anabaptist Perspective - Mark S. Hurst 8.The Limitations of Forgiveness - David P. Gushee Part Two: The Art of Forgiveness: Practical and Applied Perspectives9.“Making All Things New”: Why Innovation Matters for Forgiveness - L. Gregory Jones 10.Forgive and Forget Justice: The Tension B

Forgiveness is not one thing. It is a rich, multifaceted, multilayered concept that represents many things to different people. As a psychologist, I find it refreshing to read theologians' many different understandings of the varieties of forgiving and of ways to practice its art. And nothing brings home this freshness like reading essays by bright people in different disciplines (generally theology) from different countries (generally New Zealand). This was a stimulating and broadening read--great for theologians but enlightening regardless of one's background.