Book review | Forgiveness by Dr Amy Orr-Ewing

Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear by Dr Amy Orr-Ewing (Baker Publishing Group, 2026)

Reviewed by Andy Peck

Although forgiveness is at the heart of our faith, the author contends that the topic is poorly understood: by those inside the church who fear God wants them to pretend their pain doesn’t matter and especially outside who believe it’s unrealistic and against justice. 

An international apologist, Amy explores how a true biblical understanding of forgiveness can have healing power for our churches and communities. She does so by examining forgiveness from a number of angles: exploring it as a blessing to a cancel culture, as a theological marvel, as a gift to our minds and bodies, as part of flourishing community and as part of the blessings that the Gospel has gifted to western civilisation.  

She is unfailingly sensitive to those who may struggle with the theme but also biblically robust in arguing for a better way as befits an apologist keen to explore the topic to convince nonbelieving readers.  

At the heart of the book is her appreciation of theology of the cross where love and justice meet and how this may be understood by past and present theologians.  

The book is earthed with some powerful and moving illustrations: of forgiveness by a US marine painfully bullied; parents forgiving a woman whose careless driving killed their daughter; parents able to befriend a son-in-law after a prison sentence for murdering their daughter, and the response of a Christian community to a truly dreadful massacre. Amy also shares her own journey of pain responding to a harassment situation.  

It’s a model of careful scholarship, biblical insight and cultural reflection. I would be surprised if this doesn’t become a classic on this topic.  

Reviewer:

Andy Peck is a subeditor of Preach magazine and host of The Leadership Show with Premier Christian Radio