FATHER, FORGIVE
By Robin Oake
Authentic. 148 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978-1-85078-765-5
Many people in the UK may well remember the death of Special Branch Officer Stephen Oake who was killed by a terrorist while on duty in Manchester in 2003. This book is written by his father, Robin Oake, himself a former long-serving police officer and Chief Constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary. His purpose in the book is to explain how he has found it possible to forgive his son’s killer and how anyone who puts their trust in Christ can both be forgiven themselves and extend forgiveness to others.
Robin Oake gives an honest account of his son’s death and the issues it raised for him and his family. He considers both why forgiveness is so important and how it is possible. Throughout the book he uses Scripture and gives examples to illustrate his argument, taking examples from his own life, his experience as a police officer and from other sources. The illustrations help to make the material easy to read and relevant for a wide range of readers. He clearly presents the need each of us has for forgiveness, God’s offer of forgiveness through Christ’s death for us, and the grace God gives to those who ask him for his help to forgive others.
