PDF Summary:Unoffendable, by Brant Hansen

We all know what it's like to feel angry or offended—whether by a perceived slight from a friend or by injustice in the world. But what if holding onto that anger isn't justified, even when we believe we're right? In Unoffendable, Brant Hansen argues that anger and taking offense are not compatible with Christian teachings, which call for forgiveness and humility instead of moral superiority.

Hansen explores why we feel entitled to our anger and how choosing to let go of offense requires genuine faith in God's justice and goodness. He explains that releasing anger doesn't mean ignoring injustice—it means acting out of love rather than rage. This guide covers Hansen's theological foundations for living without offense and offers practical guidance for cultivating humility and forgiveness in everyday life.

(continued)...

The Corrupting Influence and Expression of Rage

Hansen argues that anger may stop us from taking meaningful action. It allows us to feel like we’re doing something when we're actually not. We can feel good about being angry instead of actually taking helpful action. People who are the most vocal about unfairness are often the least prone to act. We often confuse anger and action, believing that if we're not outraged about something unfair, then we're just allowing it. However, that's inaccurate. The Bible advises us to act, but not out of anger. Our motivations should come from affection and duty. If we perform a positive action without love, it lacks significance. We need people who take action to make things right, not just people who feel anger.

The Positive Uses of Anger

Many people believe that anger about unfairness can help us take meaningful action. In her essay “The Uses of Anger,” Black feminist writer Audre Lorde argues that anger can be a powerful tool for social change. She believes that anger can be a source of energy that propels us to take meaningful action. Lorde argues that anger is a natural response to injustice and that it can be used constructively to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression. She emphasizes that anger, when focused with precision, can become a powerful source of energy serving progress and change. Lorde’s perspective suggests that anger can be a disciplined force that drives us to take meaningful action rather than replacing it.

Cultivating a Heart That Is Unoffendable

Hansen asserts that cultivating a mindset that resists feeling offended requires profound forgiveness. Forgiveness alone can release us from feeling angry. While it's hard, holding onto grudges is even harder. Persistent anger may result in health problems. We pardon not because people deserve it, but because we’ve been forgiven. We pardon others to honor God, as it's what He merits. Forgiveness brings freedom.

(Shortform note: If you take Hansen’s advice to mean that “forgiveness alone can release us from feeling angry” and that “forgiveness brings freedom,” you may be tempted to pardon others and remain available to them, regardless of how they treat you. This could lead you to stay in unsafe relationships or environments, neglecting to set boundaries that protect your well-being.)

Next, we’ll explore several theological foundations for unoffendability and practical disciplines for becoming unoffendable.

Core Theological Foundations

Hansen explains that Jesus accomplished the Law, and there’s no more condemnation for those in Christ. It's not focused on our actions but on what Jesus accomplished. The price is paid in full. If you've accepted Christ, there's no condemnation. As our love for God grows and we understand that we’re led by the Spirit instead of the law, good things flow from us. For those who grasp this, his "load" is gentle, and the weight is light.

(Shortform note: This language is rooted in a post-Reformation Protestant reading of Paul, which N. T. Wright re-situates within Paul’s larger story about God’s covenant and the church’s vocation. In Justification, Wright argues that Paul’s teaching on justification is not primarily about how individuals get saved, but about how God’s covenant purpose to put the world right through Abraham’s family is fulfilled in the Messiah and his people.)

This doesn't imply that leading a loving life will be easy all the time—releasing your anger is never easy. But Jesus' teachings don’t focus on improving adherence to the law. Instead, they sum up how He intends for us to lead our lives: Fully love God and love those around you. It's not your "righteousness" that matters—it's His. Let your guilt drive you to return to Jesus and to this truth, then release it. The pressure is gone now. Releasing guilt through the gospel can enable you to bless others even further.

Justification by Faith Alone

The debate over the law, righteousness, guilt, and the gospel has been ongoing since the Protestant Reformation. In Justification, N. T. Wright argues that the Protestant Reformation’s focus on justification by faith alone was a response to the Catholic Church’s emphasis on works and sacraments as necessary for salvation. However, he explains that the Reformation’s debates were shaped by their own historical context and may not fully capture Paul’s original intent. Wright argues that Paul’s doctrine of justification is about God’s covenant faithfulness and the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s family, rather than a legalistic system of merit.

Next, we'll explore how believers should respond to God's character.

A Faithful Person's Reaction to the Character of the Divine

Hansen argues that believers should have faith in God's goodness even when life is difficult. Trusting God means having faith in His goodness and His eventual ability to right all wrongs, even when things don’t seem right in the present. It means believing that He understands the larger plan, even when you can't see it. Relying on God also means believing His love for your children exceeds yours and that He'll take care of them. Trusting God means believing that He will take care of you, too, so you won't have to worry or be angry.

(Shortform note: Trusting that God will take care of you can help you avoid worry and anger because it’s similar to having a secure attachment relationship. Secure attachment relationships are relationships in which you feel safe and supported. When you have a secure attachment relationship, you feel less threatened by events and less helpless in response to them. This means that you’re less likely to worry about what might happen or get angry about what has happened.)

Practical Disciplines of a Life Without Offense

Hansen suggests that opting for humility is key to becoming unoffendable. This isn’t about being timid or denigrating yourself. It's about not considering yourself at all. Humility means there's not as much to lose and less to protect. You become hard to offend since there's less of you to defend. You're making sacrifices for others. You’re sacrificing your personal wants due to your belief in Jesus. Humility can feel rejuvenating, although it’s challenging as well because it requires trust.

(Shortform note: While humility can be rejuvenating, it can also be damaging in certain situations. For example, if you’re in a relationship with someone who’s abusive or exploitative, you may feel that you have to sacrifice your personal wants for the sake of the other person. However, this can lead to a lack of trust and safety in the relationship, which can be detrimental to your spiritual health. In Boundaries, Henry Cloud and John Townsend argue that setting boundaries is essential for healthy relationships and spiritual growth. They suggest that taking responsibility for your own needs and desires is a key part of loving others well.)

Deciding to become unoffendable helps you learn humility. When you decide you can’t control other people, accept that the world and its inhabitants are flawed, recognize your moral shortcomings in God's eyes, and relinquish the belief that your worth stems from any source except God, you become more humble. Our lives improve as we increasingly detach from ourselves. Releasing our assumed rights and ceasing our manipulative efforts, we discover joy.

(Shortform note: While detaching from ourselves and releasing our assumed rights can be beneficial in many situations, there are circumstances where this approach may be harmful. For example, in abusive or highly coercive relationships, detaching from oneself and relinquishing personal rights can further erode a person's sense of agency and self-worth. In such cases, setting firm boundaries and asserting one's rights may be necessary for safety and well-being. True joy may only be possible after establishing these boundaries.)