Product Description

"Lewis Smedes writes about forgiveness like no one has ever written about it before. There is no better book in the English language about this subject, which, if properly mastered, can change the face of human relationships."
--Neil Clark Warren

Author of The Triumphant Marriage and Make Anger Your Ally

If you are ready to make peace with those who have hurt or betrayed you, there can be no finer road map than this thoroughly practical book. Lewis Smedes brings true forgiveness, "Gods own gift," within the capacity of every wounded person, even in circumstances when only hate seems possible. With inspiring words, he leads you through the three stages of forgiveness and helps you understand:

• Why we forgive (often the person who benefits most is the forgiver)
  
• What we do when we forgive (perhaps not what we expect)
  
• Whom we forgive (only those who directly wrong us)
  
• How we forgive (we start by owning our pain)
  

Using many dramatic examples drawn from life, this wise author illuminates, step by step, the healing path to peace and freedom.

"Altogether a wonderfully wise and enabling book, one of Smedes's very best. The Art of Forgiving is itself a work of art. Throughout my reading I found myself exclaiming, 'That never occurred to me, but yes, that's right!' I felt as if I were being led by an extraordinarily lucid and perceptive guide on a tour through the land of forgiveness."

--Nicholas Woltersdorff
Professor of Philosophical Theology
The Divinity School, Yale University

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54407 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-12
• Released on: 1997-08-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780345413444
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
When a heinous act is committed, sometimes one wonders if forgiveness is even possible. Lewis B. Smedes would certainly advise it. "When we forgive," he says, "we set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner we set free is us." In an easy-to-read yet astute analysis of the meaning and value of forgiveness, Smedes teaches the reader that more than anything, forgiveness is a way of healing. He takes as his model the Judeo-Christian God and outlines the many subtleties involved in forgiveness, such as distinguishing anger from hate, and noting that we only forgive those we blame (including ourselves). Forgetting may be more difficult, but at least The Art of Forgiving can help us along the path toward release and healing.

From the Publisher
We all know the right thing to do is usually the harder thing to do. I am continuing to struggle with forgiving and moving past conflict. I know that bitterness and anger taint my day to day existence, so why hold on to them? What or whose purpose does it serve? I'm not at the point where I could forgive the murderer of a loved one, but I strongly suggest to everyone reading this that you give up a lot of the hostility you carry around from petty disagreements with friends and colleagues. It really will make a difference in how you'll feel about yourself.

From the Inside Flap
"Lewis Smedes writes about forgiveness like no one has ever written about it before. There is no better book in the English language about this subject, which, if properly mastered, can change the face of human relationships."  
--Neil Clark Warren              

Author of The Triumphant Marriage and Make Anger Your Ally

If you are ready to make peace with those who have hurt or betrayed you, there can be no finer road map than this thoroughly practical book. Lewis Smedes brings true forgiveness, "Gods own gift," within the capacity of every wounded person, even in circumstances when only hate seems possible. With inspiring words, he leads you through the three stages of forgiveness and helps you understand:


Why we forgive (often the person who benefits most is the forgiver)
What we do when we forgive (perhaps not what we expect)
Whom we forgive (only those who directly wrong us)
How we forgive (we start by owning our pain)  


Using many dramatic examples drawn from life, this wise author illuminates, step by step, the healing path to peace and freedom.  

"Altogether a wonderfully wise and enabling book, one of Smedes's very best. The Art of Forgiving is itself a work of art. Throughout my reading I found myself exclaiming, 'That never occurred to me, but yes, that's right!' I felt as if I were being led by an extraordinarily lucid and perceptive guide on a tour through the land of forgiveness."    
--Nicholas Woltersdorff  
Professor of Philosophical Theology  
The Divinity School, Yale University

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Customer Reviews

A must read if you have been deeply hurt by a trusted friend
This book helped put it all in perspective for me, I had been deeply hurt by a trusted friend and I did not think I had what it took to forgive. This book showed me the way and helped me to realize that it is not an overnight process nor does forgiving mean reunion with that person. Forgiveness means freedom from the shackles of that painful experience. If you need to forgive and can't find the way, make this book your reference guide.

Realstic Guide to the Challenge of Forgiving Others
One of the most difficult struggles in interpersonal conflict is practicing forgiveness. There are many well-written works on this subject, but few match the depth and sensitivity of two by popular author and seminary professor, Lewis Smedes. The sequel to this one, Forgive and Forget, is a Christian classic on the subject. This volume, The Art of Forgiving, builds upon the concepts of the first. Smedes says: "We all know the right thing to do is usually the harder thing to do. I am continuing to struggle with forgiving and moving past conflict. I know that bitterness and anger taint my day to day existence, so why hold on to them? What or whose purpose does it serve? I'm not at the point where I could forgive the murderer of a loved one, but I strongly suggest to everyone reading this that you give up a lot of the hostility you carry around from petty disagreements with friends and colleagues. It really will make a difference in how you'll feel about yourself." Using many real life examples, this practical book illumines, step by step, the path of healing and the road to peace and freedom. It is an indispensable resource on the subject of forgiveness. If you only get one, get The Art of Forgiving, but if you want to double the blessing, get both.

Forgiving may not be what you think it is
I have bought this book at least four times, because each time I get it, someone desperately needs it, then they ask if they can keep it. Read this book if you've been hurt. It is very readable, and brings out what's really wrong inside. Forgiving very often is God's medicine for the heart, Reading this book may lead you towards a freedom you never thought you could have.