Chapter 2:
The Aftermath

  1. Must Anthony Thompson understand why Roof committed this crime in order to forgive him? Why or why not?
  2. Contemplate Thompson’s statement: “I must admit that I do not, in any way, understand the depth of darkness that must dwell so deeply in the young mind and heart of Dylann Storm Roof. It baffles me, completely eluding my most basic human understanding how and why Roof can plan such a deadly assault on Emanuel’s members, people he does not know, but people he hates only because of their skin pigment.” Record your thoughts.
  3. What reasons did people give for Devin Patrick Kelley’s shooting spree at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas?
  4. In your opinion, why did Kelley kill the church members indiscriminately as they worshiped God?
  5. Think about Pastor Pomeroy’s statement in his message on forgiveness one week after the shooting: “We have the freedom to proclaim Christ. Folks, we have the freedom to choose, and rather than choose darkness as one young man did that day, I say we choose life.” Record your thoughts.
  6. Reflect on these four questions:
    • Are Christians required by God to forgive a mass shooter who kills their loved ones when they don’t understand the reasons for the murder?
    • In order to forgive, does a believer deserve an acceptable motive for such a heinous act?
    • Can one truly and completely forgive what one doesn’t understand, what one might never understand?
    • Does forgiveness come at different levels depending on the crime and the rationale behind the crime?
  7. Express your opinion about the statement made by a Midwestern pastor: “Genocides and mass shootings are in a category all to themselves . . . but those who suffered loss because of these terrible crimes can extend the lowest level of forgiveness by simply not seeking vengeance and doing their best to cope with the loss and pain that will never go away.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  8. What is your opinion on the following:
    • Is “not seeking vengeance” and “doing their best to cope with the loss and pain” a form of genuine forgiveness? Is it enough? Why or why not?
    • Can partial forgiveness suffice as true biblical forgiveness? Explain.
    • Can partial forgiveness bring healing to the victim’s loved one, removing the hatred and bitterness deeply rooted in the natural human heart and mind? Please explain.
  9. Reflect on this analogy: “In its need to be total and complete, how is forgiveness like salvation in Christ?”
  10. Explain what the Apostle Paul means in this Scripture verse: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17–18).
  11. Explain the meaning of reconciliation as used here in Scripture: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.”
  12. Express why you agree or disagree with this statement: “When we choose to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply, we cannot grasp how God can cleanse our hearts and minds of the desire to avenge, help us to completely cancel the debt owed to us, and even one day be able to pray and show compassionate love for the offender. But we don’t have to figure out the mystery of forgiveness in order to choose to forgive.”
  13. Pastor Frank Pomeroy, a heartbroken father and pastor, still reeling from the murder of his daughter and his church members, admitted to his congregation a week after the shooting that he couldn’t understand why Kelley killed so many worshipers in his tiny church. But he goes on to explain the forgiveness enigma: “You lean in to what you don’t understand, you lean in to the Lord. I don’t understand, but I know my God does.” What is your opinion of his statement?
  14. What did the writer of Proverbs mean by his advice in Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him”?
  15. Reflect on this statement: “Some people believe that if they forgive the offender, they are dismissing or condoning or excusing their crime. They fear it might appear as if they are shrugging off, overlooking, or even justifying a loved one’s senseless murder at the hands of another.”
  16. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement: Biblical forgiveness only applies to intentional, deliberate, and purposeful acts.
  17. What is your opinion about this statement? “As believers in Christ, we have the ability to choose to forgive those who hurt us. And when we choose to forgive them completely, God produces the results, opening our prison door, and allowing us to walk out free and unhindered by hate and bitterness.”

For Deeper Understanding

  1. Ponder and record your thoughts on these powerful quotes:
  2. Listen to Polly Sheppard’s 9-1-1 call recording to better understand the terror of the shooting at Emanuel: https://www.wyff4.com/article/911-call-audio-from-inside-mother-emanuel-ame-church/8501434. (Warning: It contains graphic and disturbing content.) Record your thoughts.

Your Notes