VCU forgiveness expert releases updated book

By Malorie Burkett and Everett Worthington

RICHMOND, Va. – Everett L. Worthington, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a nationally renowned expert on forgiveness, has completed a revised edition of his popular book, "Five Steps to Forgiveness."

The new volume, "Forgiving and Reconciling: Bridges to Wholeness and Hope," published by InterVarsity Press, incorporates more references to spirituality than his previous volume, adding to the extensive scholarly research into forgiveness that he began in the 1980s. 

In the new volume, Worthington writes about forgiveness and reconciliation from a Christian perspective. He also covers some of his research on forgiveness and health and the issue of forgiveness and justice and other ways to handle transgressions besides forgiving. The updated book includes many practical exercises that people can do independently to help themselves experience forgiveness.

"True forgiveness is experienced through understanding both the offense and the offender and taking active steps to forgive," said Worthington, who joined the faculty of VCU in 1978 and became chair of the Department of Psychology in 1999. "There are benefits to your mental health, physical health and relationships if you forgive hurts rather than hold on to a grudge."

Worthington's expertise on forgiveness comes not only from years of scientific research but also dealing with the murder of his own mother, who was killed New Year's Eve, 1995, during a robbery. He said that after working through his conflicting emotions and anger toward his mother's murderer, he found that the principles of forgiveness, which are used by Christians and non-Christians alike, allowed him to forgive.

"If we can become a person who develops a forgiving personality, we will be less subject to health problems that the stress reactions might cause," said Worthington. "People would rather socialize and be friends with someone who forgives and overlooks transgressions than with someone who keeps score, holds grudges and is always out to make sure absolute fairness occurs in every situation."

Worthington is a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia and has published 18 books and more than 150 articles and scholarly chapters on marriage, family and forgiveness. He directs "A Campaign for Forgiveness Research" (www.forgiving.org), which will sponsor two conferences in Atlanta on Oct. 24 and 25. Those conferences will report scientific findings and practical ways to help people forgive. Keynote speakers are Martin Luther King III and Martin Seligman, best-selling author and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Worthington has spoken internationally at conferences and universities in Brazil, South Africa, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, England and Canada. He has made more than 250 appearances in different media. Television appearances include "Good Morning America," "The Iyanla Show," "The Leeza Show," "The 700 Club" and CNN.