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Forgiveness and Abuse: Jewish and Christian Reflections. Editors: Marie Fortune and Joretta Marshall. Routledge. 2004. ISBN: 9780789022523.

Forgiveness and Abuse explores how Jewish and Christian traditions handle forgiveness in the context of sexual and domestic abuse, including clergy abuse. The major theological-ethical emphases resist "forgive and forget" rhetoric as pastorally dangerous and potentially harmful to survivors' healing. Contributors adopt a victim-oriented hermeneutic, explicitly critiquing patriarchal patterns and religious practices that pressure victims toward premature or coerced forgiveness.

Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and a leading figure in religious responses to sexual and domestic violence. She is the founder and senior analyst of the FaithTrust Institute in Seattle, an international, multifaith organization focused on ending abuse by clergy and within religious communities.

Joretta L. Marshall is a pastoral theologian and educator. Her work in pastoral care and counselling informs the book's attention to how congregations, ministers, and caregivers handle pressures around forgiving abuse.

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Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.