Kendall - How to Forgive Ourselves Totally

RT's special strengths are his insights into gospel grace, into Bible biography, and into human hearts. All these strengths come together in this shrewd, flamboyant, nourishing book. Highly recommended.

-DR. J. I. PACKER

PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY, REGENT COLLEGE

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA

To say that R. T. Kendall's How to Forgive Ourselves-Totally is life changing, compelling, captivating, stunning, or gripping does not adequately portray the weightiness of this book. It is destined to become a classic, and should the Lord wait to return, this book will be read decades from now. How to Forgive Ourselves-Totally accompanied by R. T. Kendall's Total Forgiveness may become the one-two punch that brings more recovery and healing to the church than any two books in recent history.

-JOHN PAUL JACKSON

STREAMS MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

How to Forgive Ourselves-Totally is a conversation between a wise pastor and a troubled person. R. T. Kendall summons the narratives of our biblical friends to speak to us about forgiving ourselves. His mature understanding of the human experience is balanced by his theological insight. His treatment of good old-fashioned guilt exposes the manufactured facsimiles that have no real sin in them and thus should be quickly defanged of their poison. Sit down for a talk about forgiving yourself. RT will be very good company.

-DAN BOONE

PRESIDENT, TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

Unforgiveness toward oneself is a common missing link to real freedom and happiness among believers and nonbelievers alike. How to Forgive Ourselves-Totally provides the connection to understanding how to be completely free from this self-imposed bondage.

-PAUL CROUCH

PRESIDENT, TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK

I have known R. T. Kendall for more than fifty years. He was my student assistant at Trevecca Nazarene University in 1956. Our friendship bonded during those memorable days and has grown in ever-increasing measure over the years. His latest book is a sequel to Total Forgiveness, which has been widely read and appreciated. I would not be surprised if this present book will exceed all expectations since so many Christians battle with the problem of forgiving themselves. I believe this book will help set you free.

-WILLIAM M. GREATHOUSE

PRESIDENT EMERITUS, TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT EMERITUS, CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

If you liked RT's book Total Forgiveness, you will love this volume, its perfect sequel on forgiving ourselves. I predict an even wider reading for this one than the first. This is the rest of the story on the subject of forgiveness and will help the reader forgive more easily and live under more peace among the issues of this life. Thanks, RT, for another masterpiece.

-JACK TAYLOR

PRESIDENT, DIMENSIONS MINISTRIES

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA

R. T. Kendall has a way of writing "where so many seem to be living." I wondered how he could ever top his classic book Total Forgiveness. Now I wonder no more. The volume you hold in your hand has the dynamic power to set you free. Read it... now... right now... and take God at His Word by faith, and the "midnight will soon meet the morning" in your own personal experience.

-DR. 0. S. HAWKINS

FORMER SENIOR PASTOR

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DALLAS, TEXAS

Two things immediately struck me when I read RT's manuscript How to Forgive Ourselves-Totally. Textually, no thought stands alone; every concept flows logically and powerfully into the next, like nerves connecting the human system. As I continued reading, the comparison expanded, and what I learned was awesome. Failure to forgive oneself creates a blockage that cripples everything beyond that point. In effect, by refusing to forgive ourselves, we become spiritual stroke victims, paralyzed and impaired. This is nerve damage of the worst sort, and millions are needlessly affected by it. I wish I could have had the benefit of this wonderful book and shared it with my congregations over fifty years ago.

-CHARLES CARRIN

CHARLES CARRIN MINISTRIES

This book will undoubtedly be a blessing, a comfort, and a deliverance to countless readers. It has been a blessing to me. RT always writes with great sensitivity and understanding, illustrating his biblical teaching with incidents from his own personal experience.

-DR. HARRY KILBRIDE

KERYGMA MINISTRIES

As we read this book, we were flooded with revelation that healed our souls and delivered us from memories and regret that often crowded Jesus out of our thought lives. Every book that R. T. Kendall has written has been used by God to change us, but this may well be the most powerful yet as we not only have been set free from the past but also have gained hope and guidance for the future. The body of Christ needs this desperately, and we are so thankful God has chosen His faithful servant and our precious friend RT to bring it forth in his usual straightforward and vulnerable way.

-PASTORS CURRY AND BEVERLY JUNEAU

QUAIL VALLEY CHURCH, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS

When I heard that RT was writing a book on forgiving ourselves, I was so delighted. There is a horrible tendency amongst Christians to turn everything into an exercise in obeying the law-even forgiving others! I believe the root of that is reluctance to face the painful reality of truly receiving the grace of God, standing naked and defenseless before God with nothing but His grace to cover us. In this beautiful book, RT has given to us the tools we need to truly be, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last." No book that you read this year is likely to have a bigger impact on your life than this one. Read it, receive it, and rejoice. Thank you, RT; this book is long overdue.

-ERIC DELVE

VICAR, ST. LUKE'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND

MAIDSTONE, KENT, ENGLAND

How to Forgive Ourselves-Totally is R. T. Kendall at his very best. This is a courageous treatment of a much-neglected topic. It is a life-changing read and destined to become a classic.

-DR. MARK STIBBE

VICAR, ST. ANDREWS CHURCH

CHORLEYWOOD, ENGLAND

Perhaps the most liberating message you will ever hear.

-ROB PARSONS

CHAIRMAN, CARE FOR THE FAMILY

GREAT BRITAIN

Most impacting book I have read in the last decade! It is a message we all need to hear.

J. JOHN

EVANGELIST, GREAT BRITAIN

R.T. KENDALL

To MELISSA I

xi

Foreword: A Special Word From One Who's Been There

xvii

PART I: GUILT AND GRACE

PART II: WHY IT IS So HARD TO FORGIVE OURSELVES

PART III: HOW TO FORGIVE OURSELVES

r. R. T. Kendall, in his book Total Forgiveness, has told the story of the help I gave during his ministry at Westminster Chapel to totally forgive somebody who badly hurt him.