In 1998 there were only a handful of studies researching the subject of forgiveness. By 2005 that number had climbed to 950. The Power of Forgiveness, the latest documentary from Martin Doblmeier, traces the growing scientific interest in forgiveness during these years, ironically reflecting my own journey in those same years as I developed my own expertise on the subject, not so much from studying it at Seminary, preaching it as a pastor, or being such a generous giver of it as much as from making life decisions that made me desperately aware of how much I longed to receive it.

Just a reminder that this month’s film club pick is The Power of Forgiveness, a documentary from the producers of Bonhoeffer. Here’s a short summary:

Don’t pick up I Forgive You, But . . . if all you want is a theological discussion of the concept of forgiveness. Don’t pick I Forgive You, But . . . if you’re just looking for an intellectual treatise with definitions of forgiveness and what the latest theorists say on the topic. Don’t pick up I Forgive You, But . . . if you’re wanting to remain at a distance from the challenges of forgiveness Lourdes Morales-Gudmundsson presents in her slim 162-page book.

On October 2, 2006, at 10:30 am, Charles Carl Roberts entered a small one-room Amish school house in rural Pennsylvania, intending to rape the ten young girls in attendance. He dismissed the boys and the adults present and began tying up the girls. Alerted by a 911 call, the state police arrived on the scene within minutes. Roberts, realizing the he would be unable to complete his initial plan, lined up the girls on the floor and gunned them down in rapid succession. Hearing shots the state troopers broke through the windows and witnessed Roberts turning the gun on himself.

What is the worst thing you have done to a friend or family member? Lied to them? Stolen from them? After the dreadful deed, did they forgive you? And, more importantly, did you forgive yourself? While I am sometimes nostalgic for lost friendships, I know that for various reasons, history, distance, and self-preservation, there are some friendships better left in the past. But with exceptional friendships, when two souls collide and recognize and accept the humanity in each other, I believe we should all make the effort to sustain that growth.