Forgiveness

Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear

Amy Orr-Ewing

• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781493453771
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

"But if I forgive them, doesn't that mean they get away with it?"

In a culture shaped by outrage, punishment, and fear, forgiveness is often misunderstood--or dismissed entirely. It can feel impractical, unjust, or even harmful to our mental health.

But what if the opposite is true?

In Forgiveness, public theologian Amy Orr-Ewing explores why forgiveness is not a denial of justice but a powerful path toward healing, freedom, and hope--for individuals and for society. Drawing from theology, psychology, history, and literature, she examines

● why forgiveness is essential to emotional and mental well-being;
● how outrage and cancel culture damage individuals and communities;
● why forgiveness does not excuse harm, but can uphold justice;
● what the Christian vision of forgiveness offers that secular approaches cannot; and
● how breaking cycles of resentment can lead to genuine freedom.

Written for anyone wrestling with anger, hurt, or division--and especially for Christians seeking to live faithfully in a fractured world--this book offers a compelling vision of forgiveness that restores individuals, renews communities, and opens a way forward.

Forgiveness is not weakness. It may be the most powerful response we have.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1. Forgiveness as a Radical Possibility for a Great Human Need
• 2. Forgiveness as a Welcome Challenge to a Punitive World
• 3. Forgiveness as a Theological Marvel and Gift to the World
• 4. Forgiveness as an Embodied Gift Lived Out in Reality
• 5. Forgiveness as a Healer Acquainted with Trauma
• 6. Forgiveness as a Gift to Any Who Experience Anxiety
• 7. Forgiveness as a Story We All Want to Be In
• 8. Forgiveness as an Integral Part of Flourishing Community
• 9. Forgiveness as a Defining Characteristic of Western Civilization
• 10. Forgiveness as a Guide in Our Struggle for Healthy National Identity
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Back Cover