FORGIVE:
Why should I and how can I?
By Timothy Keller
Hodder Faith. 250 pages. £18.99
ISBN 978 1 473 643 130
Having found Chris Braum’s book Unpacking Forgiveness very helpful and the inspiration behind a sermon series on forgiveness a few year ago, I was interested to read Tim Keller’s book Forgive; to see what further insights I could glean from an experienced pastor on what can be a difficult issue in the life of the church as well as out in the world generally.
As many of us have come to expect, Keller does not disappoint. An introduction helpfully puts forgiveness into its contemporary context followed by Chapter One that explains the crucial dimensions of forgiveness Biblically, starting with the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. The book then splits into three sections over 11 chapters including a short epilogue. Much of this will be helpfully familiar, with Chapters Four to Six rooting forgiveness in the Old Testament, the cross and the justice of God.
