No Apology Needed

Book excerpt: Nathan R. Byrd was inspired to write No Apology Needed: Learning to Forgive as God Does during Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and forgiveness, in 2012. As he began to research the Jewish perspective of the holiday, he realized that neither Adam nor Eve ever apologized to God for their sin, yet they were forgiven immediately. Byrd offers a new perspective on the concept of forgiveness, with the goal of transforming lives and communities. Exploring the Jewish roots for the Christian faith, he suggests that the practice of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, can offer Christians a rhythm for forgiveness that will have a positive impact on their whole life. By learning to forgive as God does, without needing any apology from those who have wronged us, we can unlock the keys to healing and healthy relationships. Looking at ancient biblical passages in a new light, Byrd reveals what we have been missing about the teachings of Jesus and the character of our God, as seen in the stories of Adam and Eve, Joseph and his brothers, and King Saul and David. In doing so, Byrd offers incredible insights into how we view relationships and the necessity of adopting a posture of forgiveness, regardless of the circumstances.