Privacy
Legal
 Contact Us
Copyright © 2003
Orbis Books
June 2004
The Book That Got Clinton Through Monicagate
Personal correspondence with author made public for first time
(text of letter below)
why forgiveIn his just-released autobiography, My Life, former President Bill Clinton reveals where he turned for direction and counsel in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. He writes that "one book that particularly affected me" was Seventy Times Seven by Johann Christoph Arnold, elder of the Bruderhof, a Christian communal movement with communities in the Northeastern United States, England, Germany and Australia. The book, since retitled Why Forgive?, is now published by Orbis Books. It is available here, online, and at bookstores nationwide or by calling 1-800-258-5838.

Why Forgive? includes true stories of people scarred by crime, betrayal and abuse who found that forgiveness is the only way to survive life's deepest hurts. The stories include the well-known case of New York City police officer Steven McDonald, shot and paralyzed by a teenager in 1986 who now speaks widely at elementary and high schools about forgiveness.
In a never-before-published handwritten letter to Mr. Arnold and his wife, dated October 12, 1998, Bill Clinton writes:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Arnold,

I want to thank you for your wise letter, and for your prayers. I look forward to receiving and reading your books.

As you counseled, I am working to live my repentance in my family life and my work for our country. I am trying to accept in the proper spirit the discipline of God, being manifest most painfully in the hurt and loss of trust of my wife and daughter, and others close to me, and my own awareness of the terrible price of deceit of any kind. These things humble and pain me far more than the words of those who condemn me.

I am also learning that I have wasted much time and energy in anger at and judgment of those who have leveled so many false charges at Hillary and me over the years. If I am to be forgiven, I must forgive. If I am to have mercy in judgment, I must show mercy in return.

How I pray every day the prayer of David for a clean heart, and that the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and the work of my presidency will be pleasing to God.

I hope the American people can sense the spirit of repentance in me, but as you said, that is for them to determine; my aim must be only to do God's will. It is easier to say than do for all of us.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Bill Clinton
To Order Why Forgive?
Return to Orbis home page
Go to Maryknoll.org