With the topic of forgiveness finding its way into the news in the wake of every new outrage, Tim Keller’s argument in favor of forgiveness is relevant–and in Keller-esque manner, it is also convincing. Forgive sets out to answer the two most basic questions around forgiveness: Why should I and how can I? Keller begins his argument in the same place Jesus did–with the parable of the unforgiving servant, a man who was forgiven much but then withheld forgiveness from his fellow servant.

Emerging from an era in which survivors of abuse were pressured to “forgive and forget,” it’s clear that the concept of forgiveness comes freighted with baggage. Is there a contradiction between granting forgiveness and advocating for justice to be done? Keller asserts that biblical forgiveness poses no threat to victims and no loophole for the guilty.

When we forgive, we forfeit our “right” to retaliate. “Forgiveness means the cost of the wrong moves from the perpetrator to you, and you bear it [in] a form of voluntary suffering.”

Too, while forgiveness and justice go hand in hand, the true test of forgiveness is a willingness to reconcile. (It should be noted that reconciliation need not include returning to the risk of further harm!) True forgiveness happens only in the heart of one who has identified with the wrong-doer as a fellow sinner also in need of infinite quantities of forgiveness.

One important clarification the book provides involves the notion of earned forgiveness. Rather than interpreting Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:35 (“this is how my heavenly Father will treat you unless you forgive…”) as merit-based, a better interpretation focuses on heart change. “Divine mercy should change our hearts so that we are able to forgive as God forgave us. If we will not offer others forgiveness, it shows that we did not truly repent and receive God’s.”

Like all acts of true righteousness, forgiveness flows from the new heart as evidence of our relationship with God. It is not a condition, but, rather, a response.

The Bible models a forgiveness rooted in costly grace, but forgiveness is an entirely different proposition from excusing. When we ask for forgiveness, we admit to our guilt without excuses. When we grant forgiveness, we acknowledge that harm has been done and that the perpetrator is in the wrong and bears the responsibility for the affront. Therefore, forgiven people must still bear the consequences and penalties for their actions.

Forgive by Tim Keller is a review of the gospel, a glorious acknowledgment that sin is deadly and guilt is real, and yet God’s mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance are so rich that we will spend the rest of our lives deepening our understanding of his love for us. The message is not, “Forgive and be forgiven,” but rather, “Be forgiven–and then forgive.”

Many thanks to Net Galley and Viking for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

This is a great book, it teaches you an in-depth reason why it's important to forgive and uses the Bible to point how Christ says we should forgive. It challenges you to apply it into your own life and its a highly convicting to read.

Keller is a prominent pastor and prolific author and his latest work addresses an important, controversial subject. The author opens with the account from Matthew’s gospel of Jesus telling the parable of the unforgiving servant, followed by a thoughtful explanation of what forgiveness is and is not. Then, as promised in the title, he discusses why forgiveness is essential and how to undertake forgiving others. Keller includes scripture frequently to illustrate his points, thoroughly grounding his work in Christian doctrine. The appendix of concrete steps to take in the journey of forgiveness is worth the price of admission. Absolutely excellent! Thanks to #NetGalley for the arc!

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Group Viking for an advanced copy of this book.

To err is human, to forgive is divine. A quote that sounds nice, but is very much dated especially today. Humans never want to admit they are wrong, or even did wrong. Most people would rather keep digging that hole which is their err right through the Earth and into another country. So forgiving seems more a one-sided deal. How can one forgive when the other person won't admit to transgressions, and will fight in every court of law, public opinion and drag down every person who won't admit they made a mistake in trusting a person, around them. Forgiving is a powerful force, one that can heal as well as release. Thomas Keller in his latest book discusses the power of forgiveness in his book Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?, and the power forgiveness has to transform us all.

The book begins with the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. A rich employer brings a servant before him who owes him quite a bit of money. The servant begs for mercy, as he doesn't and probably will never have the vast amount of money he has borrowed. The employer forgives the man his debt, and allows him to go debt- free. The man leaves, sees a fellow servant who owes him money and begins to beat him for not paying back a debt owned. The others tell the rich employer who drags the servant back and says, hey I forgave you, you learned nothing, so to debtor's jail with you. Keller examines the parable, highlighting the ideas behind forgiveness and pointing out that maybe forgiveness is a lesson that might be lost on a transgressor, at least to me. From there Keller discusses the cost of forgiveness, and the power that it can have on society, with a look at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, and other stories and real world experiences.

The writing is good, with plenty of sections that raise interesting questions both about forgiveness and how it might be. Keller has a nice style, not over the top or pie in the sky, buy very down to Earth, and conversational in many places. Forgiveness can be quite powerful for a person, releasing a lot of pain and accumulated trauma, and allowing a person to accept that what has happened has happened, and no matter the consequences for you or the lack of consequences for the person you are forgiving, that your life will not be ruled by one person's or group bad actions.

Being Irish I am more of a forgiven, not forgotten kind of person. However I can understand and respect the message that Keller is discussing here. Forgiveness is important, and as a human one of the most important things we can do. Especially in this modern world where not admitting anything one has done wrong and holding onto grudges and hatred seems to be the new normal.

Having read nearly everything Keller has published, I am not exactly a neutral reviewer. However, after reading Forgive I would say this new release sits in the league of the best of Keller (along with Prodigal God, The Meaning of Marriage and Center Church).

Speaking to some of the most critical issues of our time such as cancel culture and abuse revelations as well as some of the most knotty pastoral issues of how to navigate the issues of the heart and how to navigate the dynamics of community when wrongdoing has happened. Keller approaches all as both a winsome apologist and a seasoned pastor.

Do yourself a favor and get this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.

Tim Keller delivers once again. There is nothing groundbreaking in this book. It is solidly Biblical pointing to the importance of being forgiven and giving forgiveness. In typical Keller fashion, the book wrestles with contemporary philosophical questions and answers them with a Gospel-saturated response. The cross of Jesus Christ is the pathway to one’s individual forgiveness and the only way one can truly have the capacity to forgive others.