The limits of forgiveness
Subtitle: case studies in the distortion of a biblical ideal
By: Maria Mayo
Publisher: Fortress Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Minneapolis
Language: eng
Number of pages: 253
ISBN-13: 9781451493085; 9781506400372
Subjects: South Africa; South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Family violence; Christianity; Biblical teaching; Forgiveness
Description: Maria Mayo questions the contemporary idealization of unconditional forgiveness in three areas of contemporary life: so-called Victim-Offender Mediation involving cases of criminal injury, the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa, and the pastoral care of victims of domestic violence. She shows that an emphasis on unilateral and unconditional forgiveness puts disproportionate pressure on the victims of injustice or violence and misconstrues the very biblical passages--especially in Jesus' teaching and actions--on which advocates of unconditional forgiveness rely.
Notes: Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral)--Vanderbilt University.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-246) and indexes.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: mapping the forgiveness territory; title: Repentance and repair, or "ethical bungee jumping"?: forgiveness in the "seventy-times-seven" instructions and victim-offender mediation; title: Community cohesion, or a hegemony of harmony?: forgiveness in the Lord's prayer and in post-apartheid South Africa; title: Passionate prayer, or pastoral pressure?: forgiveness in Luke 23:34a and the pastoral care of victims of domestic violence; title: Conclusion: The future of forgiveness.