I propose a real viable plan for World Peace! Flood the World With Forgiveness! Much can be learned from the Reconciliation Courts in South Africa post Apartheid. Many such stories in this conversation.
Interview With Brian Zahnd
Brian Zhand is a full time pastor, author, and would be mountaineer and is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brian has authored several books, including: Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness and, most recently, Postcards From Babylon.
UNCONDITIONAL
The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness
Interview Questions:
What is one of the most moving examples of forgiveness you have encountered?
One of the phrases that most stood out to me in this book Unconditional was that Jesus and the apostles were focused on us becoming Christian, not becoming a Christian.
How do we become Christian? To become a true follower of the Way of Jesus?
How would you define forgiveness? What does it even mean? What is Jesus asking us to do to forgive 70 x 7?
I loved all the examples you shared from more recent history:
Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu found a way to live out the Lords Prayer on a national level. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Page 81
Restorative Justice!
Reminds me of the Scripture, “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion..” Proverbs 28:13 NASB
Pope John Paul forgiving the man who shot him and visiting his brother in prison.
The Amish of Nickel Mines visiting the wife of the murderer offering comfort.
Corrie Ten Boom facing one of her captors from the concentration camp in Ravensbruck. She was in Munich Germany sharing a message about forgiveness and one of the cruelest guards from the camp came forward after her talk. Read Page 32
How do we teach our children to turn the other cheek?
I have a friend Bill Vanderbush who wrote a book called Reckless Grace (Check out that Interview HERE) based primarily on a verse you highlighted in the final pages of Unconditional:
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 2If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:21-23 NLT