San Antonio, TX -- (SBWire) -- 01/06/2014 --Everyone has sin committed against them. However, millions are driven to feel guilty about accepting anything other than a “sorry” from the perpetrator. In an unlikely yet hugely enlightening new book, Theologian Ethan E. Harris urges readers to hold back on simply accepting a verbal apology. Can imposing punishment sometimes be better than granting forgiveness?
‘Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet’ says yes, and not without good reason. Exploring the societal, ethical and faith-driven reasons behind inspiring true repentance, the book boldly tackles a topic that is rarely discussed so openly.
Synopsis:
"Don't forgive them" is probably not the content of a sermon most people have ever heard. The Bible teaches us to hold back forgiveness in certain occasions in order to preserve relationships.
We're told to always forgive, but it is never in absence of repentance. We are told to be "forgiving," careful to remove the log in our own eye first.
A better understanding of repentance and forgiveness will ideally lead to the healing of unnecessary fractures that we have created, and unfortunately, we have many times done so in the name of Christ.
The author agrees that his approach can be tough to talk about, but feels it is a vital Biblical remedy to sin.
“As humans, we throw the word “sorry” around without a care and expect everybody to accept it, no matter what wrongs we have committed against them. Oftentimes, this word isn’t enough and it is sometimes vital to withhold forgiveness and instead bring the sin to the forefront of the relationship so true repentance can take place. Believe me, this is the only way to obtain long-term restoration of the familial, social or professional relationship at stake,” says Harris.
Continuing, “Nobody must feel guilty about doing this, but for some reason society makes us feel bad about imposing punishment or even demanding repentance when it is due. My book studies and dissects this concept in great death, explaining why it is godly to often hold back forgiveness for a time. Give this book a chance, anyone from any background will turn the last page with a fresh perspective on true conflict resolution.”
‘Conditional Forgiveness: Don't Forgive Them Just Yet’ is available now:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1hjOMRu.
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/KlBvKD.
About the Author: Ethan E. Harris
Ethan E. Harris has a Bachelors and Masters in Philosophy and Theology as well as a Masters in Education from the University of Kansas. He is a member of Golden Key International Honor Society, a Bronze Star recipient and was an Army Medic for 13 years.
With extensive travel throughout the United States, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, the Bahamas and Hawaii, his multicultural experiences give him a greater depth of knowledge and humility of many peoples and lifestyles. He has a keen interest in languages having studied Greek, French and Cherokee.
He lives in San Antonio, TX, with his wife and six children.
