“Forgiveness was a public transaction made between two people, and the moral weight was heaviest on the offender.
Unlike today where victims are sometimes put under immense pressure to forgive unconditionally and quickly, in the early church, the focus was on the brother or sister who sinned.”
-Teasi Cannon in Counterfeit Forgiveness: How a Modern Myth Betrays Victims, Protects Abusers, and Corrupts the Gospel, Triangle, VA: Sound Faith Books, 2026, pp28.
If you are interested in a book that teaches soundly on forgiveness and lifts spiritually abusive burdens from the shoulders of victims, I have one for you!
Please consider reading Teasi Cannon’s book:
This is probably the best book–apart from the Bible, of course–I have read on the topic of forgiveness. It provides helpful tips for people struggling with someone who refuses to repent or is unsafe to be around.
The book also does an excellent job unpacking what biblical forgiveness is and is not. It defangs the destructive worldly teachings around forgiveness that overburdens victims in a kind but firm way.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
Please find a copy and read. It is for anyone looking for help unpacking this thorny topic for themselves or others that they love.
