Throughout the years, discussions of forgiveness have occurred almost exclusively in religious circles. In the past few decades, however, forgiveness has become a popular topic in contemporary psychology. Unfortunately, there has been relatively little effort to effectively combine theological conceptions of forgiveness with contemporary psychological research. The Faces of Forgiveness steps in to fill this void.

The image of the face is the motif that integrates the two disciplines of theology and psychology. At a basic level the actual human face has elicited a great deal of research on emotions related to forgiveness. At a deeper level the face can serve as a metaphor for the integration of existential and spiritual longings for forgiveness, wholeness, and salvation. And while theological studies of salvation politely acknowledge forgiveness, the authors argue that forgiveness should take a central role, not only because it is warranted by biblical tradition but also because it more adequately engages our postmodern context.

Shults and Sandage offer here a model for understanding and practicing forgiveness that integrates psychology and theology, focuses on the importance of relationality, contemplates the hermeneutics of the face, and delineates the ways in which the term "forgiveness" is most commonly used.

The Faces of Forgiveness is a substantive text appropriate for use in both theology and psychology classes. Pastors, psychologists, family counselors, and laity interested in theology, psychology, and spirituality will find it a helpful resource.

Shults and Sandage have produced a remarkable synthesis of the very best social scientific work on forgiveness, which has emerged so powerfully since the mid-1990s, and the very finest contemporary theological reflection. Insofar as we are asked to love God with our ‘whole minds,’ this convergence of science and theology is not only deeply insightful but also utterly true to the Lord’s command. This work will move the discussion of forgiveness forward by light years.–Stephen G. Post, professor of bioethics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

The Faces of Forgiveness is an impressive synthesis of the best of theology and the best of modern psychology on the nature of forgiveness. Shults and Sandage use these sources to replace static and forensic views of forgiveness with a view of forgiveness as dynamic and intersubjective. The book is a remarkable achievement.–Donald S. Browning, Alexander Campbell Professor Emeritus of Ethics and the Social Sciences, the University of Chicago Divinity School