tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448408599120443038.post1116486731407399107..comments2023-10-13T16:52:46.235+08:00Comments on Deconstructing the Monkey: Making some sense of forgiving & blessing the Enemy and responsibilityTremontihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07864105513148857028noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448408599120443038.post-68914095284335131192009-03-12T00:43:00.000+08:002009-03-12T00:43:00.000+08:00Mason,I agree with what you said here "Forgiveness...Mason,<BR/>I agree with what you said here "Forgiveness is not about ignoring a problem, but addressing it with love and grace and moving through it." I think the majority will think that forgiveness is a matter of ignoring the pain or hurt cause by someone, and that sometimes rubs on me as well. I think the hardest rule here is addressing the hurt if in the case where we are face to face with our offender. At times reconciliation does not happen. And this is at time the dilemma in exerting forgiveness fully. At least this is my struggle. <BR/><BR/>Kurt,<BR/>Yes, forgiveness is our responsibility always to choose and go through. At this point though, what happens if reconciliation does not happen? Like what I said above responding to mason, it is hard to breath forgiveness if only one party is committed to reconciliation. Thinking through your comment and mason's, forgiveness, its full realization comes when both parties (offender and offended) seek to be reconciled. Thinking through I feel that the full extent of forgiveness to the point of reconciliation is the personal journey I'm going through. <BR/><BR/>Kacie,<BR/>Thanks for your comment. It is interesting to hear that you grew up in Indonesia.Tremontihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07864105513148857028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448408599120443038.post-47361690943452350902009-03-11T10:16:00.000+08:002009-03-11T10:16:00.000+08:00Good to see a theologian in SE Asia! I grew up in ...Good to see a theologian in SE Asia! I grew up in Indonesia, and noticed your comment on John Stackhouse's blog.Kaciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374573594800663980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448408599120443038.post-7469528279010032792009-03-10T03:21:00.000+08:002009-03-10T03:21:00.000+08:00Forgiveness is hard. Forgive my reductionism for ...Forgiveness is hard. Forgive my reductionism for a moment but allow me to make two observations about forgiveness that have been helpful for me in the past...<BR/><BR/>Forgiveness is a Choice We Make<BR/><BR/>Forgiveness is a Journey We Take<BR/><BR/>Forgiveness through reconciliation must be something taht we actually seek. We desire for reconcilation and to be free from the bondage that the conflict creates. Once we choose this, talking stuff out simply doesnt seem to suffice. I like what you talked about refering to how reconciliation is something that must be wrestled with in the community. If this is not the case, if we dont take the time to really sort out the deep issues invovled, the peace can often be superficial and quikly fading.<BR/><BR/>I encourage you to continue wrestling. You obviously believe that forgiveness is the answer, but are still on the journey to fully embrace it. Continue in faith my friend and God will honor your efforts!Kurt Willemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378647876158657549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448408599120443038.post-75667871349261152712009-03-10T02:06:00.000+08:002009-03-10T02:06:00.000+08:00I think that Volf quote sums up very well how I th...I think that Volf quote sums up very well how I think we should approach God's justice/judgment.<BR/><BR/>As far as forgivness goes, it's hard, incredibly hard sometimes, but it's necessary for your relationship with the other person, for your relationship with God, and for your own peace.<BR/>Too many have the idea that forgiving means acting like it didn't matter. I think it is better to see forgiving as saying "it did matter, deeply, and it wasn't ok, but I release you from my anger and let go of my right to retaliate and further the cycle". <BR/>Forgivness is not about ignoring a problem, but adressing it with love and grace and moving through it.Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12865044615971862266noreply@blogger.com