Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment by Jim Forest


Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment
Title : Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 162698090X
ISBN-10 : 9781626980907
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 160
Publication : First published September 10, 2014
Awards : Illumination Book Awards Theology (Gold Medal) (2015)

Not everything Jesus taught must be regarded as a commandment. Counsels on voluntary poverty or celibacy, for instance, have been seen as an option for a small minority of Christ’s followers. The same cannot be said about the love of enemies. This does not fall in the “if you would be perfect” category. It is, instead, basic Christianity, which Jesus taught through direct instruction, through parables, and by the example given with his own life. And yet it is undoubtedly the hardest commandment of all, one that runs counter to our natural inclinations. It is, as Jim Forest shows, a commandment that calls for prayer, discernment, and constant practice. Along with reflections drawn from scripture, the lives of the saints, and modern history, Forest offers “nine disciplines of active love,” including “praying for enemies,” “turning the other cheek,” “forgiveness,” and “recognizing Jesus in others,” that make the love of enemies, if not an easier task, then a goal worth striving toward in our daily lives.

Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment Reviews

  • Elise

    Although written from an OrthodoxChristian perspective, this book offers much to those of any Christian persuasion on how to live peaceably with others—especially those we find it hard to live with peaceably. This is Not anEasy road and whether or not we choose to take these steps says more about us than it does about those we consider enemies. Worth your time and effort; it will change your perspective of how you view others. Highly recommended.

  • Karen

    6 out of 5 stars

  • Wayne Northey

    Outstanding!

  • Rosa Angelone

    Called me out in the best way. Gave me some places to start. Allows for anger and imperfection. The writing is simple even if some of the ideas are not.

  • John

    A series of short essays on Jesus' call to love our enemies which I wish I had read earlier. An important book for a world full of fear, violence, and threats.

    It's filled with commentaries on scripture texts, quotations from the church fathers and holy persons through the ages, and incredible stories about people who have lived out the call to love one's enemies.

    I highly recommend it - together with Jim Forest's THE ROOT OF WAR IS FEAR.

  • George

    Loving Our Enemies by Jim Forest was the summer reading book for Sunday catechism teachers at my parish. We discussed each section of the book over 2 evenings as it is divided into 2 sections: defining what constitutes an enemy and how one can love their enemies.



    Overall, the book provided a lot of useful information for Christians of any stripe. He moves beyond the stereotypical definition of an enemy as a person antagonistic towards oneself and and breaks it down to just about anyone that we fear. Profoundly, he points out that often our greatest enemy is our self. His future chapters focus on this definition of enemy in the context of war time, relationships between family members and fear of those we may dislike because their ideology, race, clothing, religion, etc. may be different than one own.



    One point of criticism in the book was the discussion of enemies during war. The author is a pacifist and believes that all Christians should take this approach when it comes time for war. While it is true that "Thou Shall Not Kill" is one of the Commandments, in the context of defense, killing can be justifiable. Consider the outcome of WWII if during the war all those who professed Christianity and thus as pacifists refused to serve in the armed forces. As the author does mention, dropping bibles over Germany would probably not have ended the war.



    My favorite part of the book was the chapter on praying for enemies at the beginning of the second section of the book. I plan on incorporating it into my class in the coming Fall. I found the idea of thinking of people I regard as enemies and then praying for them to be rather profound, even though I already know I am supposed to love my enemies. I hope to encourage my students to do so as well. A highly worthwhile read.

  • Volkert

    Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment, by Jim Forest, is an important book. It received the 2015 Gold Illumination Book Award for theology. But this is not a volume filled with big theological terms, but one that is accessible to anyone who wants to grapple with what Jesus would have us do: love our enemies.

    Jim Forest has devoted his life to the work of peace within the Christian context and this book is the result of his life’s work.

    Early in the book he states: “Jesus implicitly ridicules the idea that good can be brought about by evil means. Violence is not the means of creating a peaceful society. Vengeance does not pave the road to forgiveness.”

    Forest quotes extensively from various early church fathers and Christian activists, such as Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day, whom he personally knew, to present the case that we have no option, as Christians, but to forgive, to let go, to turn the other cheek, and to yes, love our enemies.

    Part Two of the book presents the “Nine Disciplines of Active Love,” which are:
    1. praying for enemies
    2. doing good to enemies
    3. turning the other cheek
    4. forgiveness
    5. breaking down the dividing wall of enmity
    6. refusing to take an eye for an eye
    7. seeking nonviolent alternatives
    8. practicing holy disobedience
    9. recognizing Jesus in others

    Forest presents practical ideas that would work on both an interpersonal level, and those that have implications on a larger scale.

    I have highlighted key quotes that I will be returning to. And I will be purchasing copies to give as gifts. Like I said, “This is an important book.”

  • lisa

    One of my favorite books of the year, Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the hardest commandment is very inspiring. Jim Forest has written a beautiful book that will encourage readers to follow the peacemaking example of Jesus of Nazareth.

    For my complete review please visit
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