Recently someone handed me an article by Dr. Laura Schlessinger in which the popular talk show host claims that there are some sins that are and should be unforgivable.  Dr. Laura believes that most folk totally misunderstand the concept of forgiveness.  Dr. Laura is offended by the way some in our society cave into the evil engendered by the authors of heinous crimes.  Dr. Laura is outraged by what she calls compassion for such evil, remembering with distaste the two crosses representing the Columbine murderers that were added to those representing the victims.  Dr. Laura says that "forgiving the unforgivable is joining the evil." 

I think that if you were to ask most folk in our society, they would agree with Dr. Laura.  For most, forgiveness is the pollyanna approach to a very real world, a world in which very real evil is alive, and well.  Yes, most of us would cheer Dr. Laura on.  'You go, girl!'

It may surprise you to learn that I agree with much of what Dr. Laura says.  For example:

Dr. Laura says that most folk misunderstand forgiveness.  I agree.  Dr. Laura is one of them. Understanding forgiveness as a caving to evil misses the point.  The unvarnished truth about forgiveness is that it sees evil for the dark, awful thing that it is, looks the evildoer in the eye, and says, 'You have profoundly wronged me.  The injuries you have inflicted are deep and intensely personal.  They have created unspeakable damage that cannot be retrieved or removed.  I forgive you.'  In doing this audacious thing, forgiveness strips evil of it's power, leaving our enemies toothless and defenseless.   

Dr. Laura says that forgiveness is offensive and outrageous.  I agree.  It is an outrage to think that the perpetrator of such terrible crimes should not pay.  In my mind, this is the great challenge of the Christian faith.  We have a God who we cannot follow.  We have a God who refuses to do what we would have Him do.  When every fibre of our being moves us to retain sin, seek retribution, and petition God for just desserts to rain down upon the evildoers, our God does the unthinkable.  He sends his son to announce forgiveness on those who have flogged, beaten, mocked and finally murdered him.  An outrage?  You bet your boots it is.  What's more is that this is the one we worship as Lord and savior.

Dr. Laura says that forgiving the unforgivable is joining the evil.  I agree.  So does Saint Paul "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).  This little verse begs the question:  Is it naive to think that one should become evil in the hopes that evildoers might be changed or is this the very real power of forgiveness, a power that can overcome even the hardness of an evil heart?  

So which is the better read, the Gospel According to Saint Laura or the audacious story of God's forgiving love?  You make the call.