Pages of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

I was surprised to see, on Catherine Claire Larson's Facebook wall, that someone had read her book As We Forgive in one day. It took me several weeks. Not because it is cumbersome or boring, but because it is emotionally and spiritually intense. And appropriately so. As We Forgive is the personal stories of Rwandan genocide survivors who found the grace to forgive the perpetrators, inspired by Laura Waters Hinson's amazing film.

Her book appears to be exceeding expectations on Amazon.com, but I do want to point a few reasons why you should read it (but clear your mind and find a place to rest first - you will need processing time).

First, at least from this amateur's perspective, it is very well written. This isn't something you could say about a lot of books you might find in an evangelical book store. Catherine takes the time to paint the picture of each of her subjects, ever sure to include Rwanda's landscape - sights, sounds, smells, touches. It's patient work, but a necessary backdrop to remind us of the humanity and history of victims and perpetrators. It also makes the brutality somehow easier to digest. Tragedy and hope happen between human interactions, ordinary work, school, church and family. It takes a skillful writer, and Catherine meets the challenge with grace.

Second, I like the way it was written. There are seven wrenching but beautiful narratives, but before and after each one are reflections on forgiveness and reconciliation. This helps make it possible to digest each of the stories, but they are also meant to challenge us. Some of our Rwandan brothers and sisters inspire us to forgive one another, but we still need to be shown the way. The reflections begin to achieve this. They are short, but they are still deeper than most self-help book, and there is a good balance of reporting, counseling and scholarship.

Finally, I want to say that though the book is more explicitly Christian than the film, this is a good introduction to Christianity to anyone who may otherwise put off by a Christian publisher. There is nothing in the pages of As We Forgive that could be considered proselytizing, but the stories speak for themselves. The ministry of reconciliation, where we are reconciled in love to God and neighbor, is what makes Christianity so compelling, so powerful to many, and a strong argument for the Gospel. If you have ever wondered why anyone would embrace this religion, read and see.

In short, read As We Forgive, take time to reflect, and ask yourself if you need reconciliation.