Called to Forgive

B. Thompson Anthony

Description

While the murder of his wife devastated Anthony Thompson, he and three other relatives of victims chose to privately and publicly forgive the shooter. Years later, the church and community still struggle to understand the family members' deliberate choice to forgive the racist murderer. But as Charlestonians have witnessed these incredible acts of forgiveness, something significant has happened to the community--black and white leaders and residents have united, coming together peaceably and even showing acts of selfless love.This book is the account of Anthony's wife's murder, the grief he experienced, and how and why he made the radical choice to forgive the killer. But beyond that, Anthony goes on to teach what forgiveness can and should look like in each of our lives--both personally, in our communities, and even in our nation. After much pain, reflection, and study, Thompson shares how true biblical love and mercy differ from the way these ideas are reflected in our culture.Be inspired by this remarkable story and discover how the difficult decision to forgive can become the key to radical change.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Carolina del Sur
• Street crime
• South Carolina
• Church of England
• Caroline du Sud

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 04 juin 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493418718
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Endorsements
“Pastor Anthony Thompson’s wife, Myra, was brutally murdered at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston along with eight others on June 17, 2015. The nation was shocked by this racially motivated hate crime. No one could have anticipated what would happen next. Pastor Thompson stood in front of the killer, forgave him, and then offered him the hope of the gospel in Jesus Christ. That moment, broadcast worldwide, inspired the entire city to act on grace rather than revenge and hatred. Called to Forgive offers the backstory, the heart-wrenching story, while celebrating and challenging the reader to experience the greatest force known to humanity, God’s grace. As his colleague and friend, I commend Pastor Thompson to you. Every word written herein is authenticated by his life. If you long to understand forgiveness, meet Anthony Thompson.”
—Marshall Blalock, pastor, First Baptist Church of Charleston; president, South Carolina Baptist Convention (2018)
“Anthony Thompson has led the way in how to respond to those who wound and hurt us, even in the midst of awful tragedy. Called to Forgive inspires greater understanding in how to forgive as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32) and how to be released from the slavery of unforgiveness.”
—Foley Beach, archbishop and primate, Anglican Church in North America
“In a world where there is so much negative rhetoric, hatred, and division, the words contained in this book will inspire you to forgive, heal, and grow. I am truly thankful for Anthony and his willingness to be open with his pain, struggles, and road to forgiveness. His testimony will change your life!”
—Eric S.C. Manning, pastor, Mother Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina
“In June 2015 I experienced two most unthinkable acts. The first was the killing of nine devout church members at Bible study, based solely on their race by a hateful bigot. Then just two days later, devastated family members showing an extreme act of grace by telling the murderer they forgive him. This beautiful book encourages and challenges the reader to see the powerful and healing act of forgiveness in the face of hate.”
—Joseph P. Riley Jr., former mayor of Charleston, South Carolina
“A powerful, compelling story of forgiveness. Rev. Thompson was prepared, ready for God’s call. Through this amazing example of God’s compassion and forgiveness, the citizens of Charleston will forever affirm that Love Is Stronger Than Hate. Thank you, Rev. Thompson—we love you!”
—John Tecklenburg, mayor of Charleston, South Carolina
“Part memoir, part guidebook for the soul, Called to Forgive tells the deeper story of Rev. Anthony Thompson’s decision to publicly forgive his wife’s murderer. Full of empathy and deep wisdom, Thompson explains the complexities behind his decision to forgive and the power it exerts in his life. This is a story that can change the world.”
—Marjory Wentworth, coauthor, We Are Charleston: Tragedy and Triumph at Mother Emanuel
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2019 by Anthony Thompson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1871-8
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
This book recounts events in the life of Anthony Thompson according to the author’s recollection and information from the author’s perspective.
Cover design by LOOK Design Studio
Cover photography by Nathan Bell, Richard Bell Photography
Authors are represented by WordServe Literary Agency.
Dedication
I dedicate this book to the memory of my wife, the late Myra Quarles-Singleton Thompson, who is the sparkle in my eyes. Her love, giving spirit, and dedication to education and ministry for the Lord are my greatest inspiration.
I also extend a special dedication to the memory of the Emanuel Nine victims: Myra Quarles-Singleton Thompson, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Depayne Middleton Doctor, Clementa Carlos Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, and Daniel L. Simmons Sr.
A very special dedication to the survivors of the Emanuel Nine Tragedy, who are our Voices of Hope and Reflection : Although we find ourselves in a broken world—a world in which hurting people far too often hurt other people—we come longing for healing. We gather to pray for peace. Not only that, but we also come pledging to reverse the conditions that have produced such violence and destructive behavior that have torn at the fabric of our families and our communities.
For Jennifer and Malana Pinckney, Felicia Sanders and her granddaughter, and Polly Sheppard.
Contents
Cover 1
Endorsements 2
Half Title Page 3
Title Page 5
Copyright Page 6
Dedication 7
Acknowledgments 11
Introduction 13
1. The Unthinkable Tragedy 15
2. The Aftermath 35
3. Dylann Storm Roof: A Homegrown American Terrorist 47
4. The Decision 59
5. A Mighty Long Journey 73
6. Missing Myra 91
7. A Community and Nation React 105
8. Honoring Myra’s Wishes 117
9. The Deadly Dis-ease of Unforgiveness 137
10. The Path to Healing and Peace 147
Epilogue: My Letter to Dylann 163
Bible Study Questions 173
Appendix 1: A Call to Prayer from the Bishops in South Carolina 219
Appendix 2: Charleston Shooting, Trial, and Remembrance Timeline 222
Appendix 3: The Ten Stages of Biblical Forgiveness 225
Appendix 4: The Resolution to Recognize, Denounce and Apologize for the City’s Involvement with Slavery 227
Appendix 5: Myra’s Bible Study on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (from Mark 4) 232
Notes 240
About the Authors 256
Back Cover 257
Acknowledgments
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5 KJV ).
T o God be the glory, the honor, and the praise. For He and He alone is worthy to be praised!
God brought good out of the Emanuel Nine tragedy. God gave me the peace that “passeth all understanding” in the most tragic and lonely time of my life. He simultaneously assigned me the mission to preach the gospel of forgiveness so that the “peace” may be imparted to our families, churches, cities, states, and nation.
God prepared the way before me by placing His chosen people in my path to successfully implement His mission through this book, Called to Forgive: The Charleston Church Shooting, a Victim’s Husband, and the Path to Healing and Peace. And it is with great honor that I thank each and every one of them.
Many thanks to my agent, Greg Johnson; to my editor, Andy McGuire; and to the staff of Bethany House.
To Eugene Smith, a lifelong friend who reminded me of the time when we attended Benedict College and God placed the desire in my heart to write a book.
To R. Marshall Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina—a friend who encouraged me with an invitation to begin my mission in a sermon at First Baptist Church on “The Healing Power of Forgiveness.”
To Mrs. Cathy Powell Blalock, who through the guidance of the Holy Spirit ignited the flame in my heart to spread the gospel of forgiveness through the writing of this book—a finely tuned instrument of God who enabled me and Denise George to form a harmonious relationship for the spreading of the gospel of forgiveness.
To Denise George, a friend and mentor who worked diligently on this mission. Her expertise, professionalism, insight, and ideas enlightened my mind and assured me of the God-given commonality we have in spreading the gospel of forgiveness.
To Jeanette Jordan, pastor of the Church House of Ministries Worldwide in Ladson, South Carolina, who encouraged and prayed for me every day, every step of the way.
And a special thank-you to my children: Kevin, Anthony, and Denise, whose love and respect for God, and whose act of forgiveness toward Dylann Roof, brought more peace in my life than they could ever imagine.
Introduction
D ear Reader:
On a warm June evening in Charleston, South Carolina, fourteen people were in the basement of the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, twelve of them sitting ready to participate in the Wednesday evening Bible study led by my wife, newly licensed AME minister Myra Thompson. That evening I was unable to go with Myra, assuming the Wednesday evening responsibilities at the church where I serve as pastor, the nearby Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church.
A few minutes after 8 p.m., as Myra began teaching from Mark 4—Jesus’ parable of the sower—a young white man with blond hair and a fanny pack walked into the church. The pastor, teacher, and participants eagerly welcomed him, pulling out a chair at the table and inviting him to join them.
An hour later, Myra finished teaching Jesus’ parable and, with all eyes closed, the group stood for the