Can We Reconcile Justice and Forgiveness? | Rachael Denhollander at Harvard

A prominent advocate for abuse survivors and recently named to the TIME 100 list, Rachael Denhollander has spurred national conversations about sexual abuse in athletics as well as in evangelical churches. As the first woman to speak publicly and file a criminal report against former USA Gymnastics team doctor and now convicted child molester, Larry Nassar, Denhollander's story has been published in The New York Times, NPR, and The Washington Post. Her victim impact statement and New York Times op-ed highlight her commitment to justice-even in the face of great personal cost-and to Christian forgiveness.
In a dialogue moderated by Professor Nancy Hill, Denhollander discusses the influence of her religious world view on her conception of justice, her ability to forgive those who do not seem to deserve it, and her understanding of the balance between justice and forgiveness.
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[@dariahughes5564]

I LOVE THAT SHE BECAME A LAWYER!! Not all heroes wear capes! Rachael is a straight-up bad azz!!

[@VinnyS9143101982]

She was already a lawyer and she's a disgrace to the profession. She accepted an award from Christine Blasey Ford AFTER she was caught committing perjury.

[@lianecornils8733]

Its conviction. Its God driven.

[@saviocarvalho6126]

What a wonderful woman of God. I have been so encouraged. Greetings from India.

[@glennberry4829]

I had the fortune to attend this talk. I'm glad to have the chance to listen again to it.

[@Blessrainable]

A speech so perfectly constructed and well delivered that it is impossible for anyone to not understand the message. What an exceptional woman. Incredible mind. God bless her indeed.

[@dariahughes5564]

This woman is my hero. I'm not a victim of abuse, but strong women like this have been few and far between in history. We need more like her. What is wrong with her poor hands!? They look red, swollen, and sore!! Poor thing. Love u Rachael! ! ❤💙

[@fireworks4332]

She is pregnant with her 4 child her hands probably start to swollen .

[@andyng5321]

I wanted to make a joke about why her hands are swollen but nah...haha

[@andrewobot2359]

What an amazing speech! One of the best faith expository ever taught in a secular setting. Excellently done Rachel! God bless you!

[@Closertotruth2]

What a wise, strong woman. God bless you Rachel!

[@robertoesquivel4447]

I hope this helps the many people that are struggling with pain and forgiveness, I think it was a pretty insightful lecture. One thing I want to add that I believe needs even more emphasis, is that of course forgiveness by God is available to anyone but will only be given to them if they accept Christ as their savior and though it is a free gift it does have some responsibilities. One must repent as Rachel mentioned but what this entitles if it's sincere is that you're also allowing God to change you into a better human being day by day. I think a lot of people wrestling with Christianity struggle with this, because they feel that if someone like Larry comes to Christ, that he will forever be the same monster he was before. If Larry or anyone truthfully comes to Christ and repents, God will sanctify that person day by day. This is gradual, sure, but someone like Larry wouldn't be let into heaven if God wasn't changing that man's heart for good. I know a lot of non Christians are worried that Jesus is forgiving a ton of monsters and that there will be a ton of horrible people in heaven who got off easily. That's far from the truth. I just felt like this is important to emphasize because I've seen a lot of people struggle with this.

[@cherylvontress2964]

The very BEST message I have ever heard on forgiveness and justice. As a Christian believer/Jesus follower, I find Rachael's testimony of her experience to be genuine and clear. I hope to draw upon her words to help women I assist as they face domestic abuse on every level and decide to leave their abuser.

[@WilliamBrownGuitar]

This is great. This talk should speak to every human because everyone has the experience of injustice and many have experienced terrible abuse. I do not think there is any better response possible than this one.

[@hank0455]

I am so glad that I took the time to listen to this incredible woman speak again.

[@number1audreyfan]

This Woman is the epitome of CLASS.

[@wisebear2919]

Rachel, Thank You!! Your depth, reason and spiritaul center reveal the presence of Christ within that is wisdom to us all (Colossians 2:3).

[@tangoz811]

I think Rachel Denhollander is such an amazing person. It's her fighting spirit and unrelenting courage which made her not only a survivor of sexual abuse but a champion of rewarding justice for female gymnasts.

[@Blessrainable]

What a spectacular woman! Wonderful speech! I would have been clapping all the way through.

[@marvintookesiii9847]

Rachael is a wise woman with strong voice

[@c5d53g2e]

I don't trust the Church, I trust my Savior. Absolutely.

[@redeemingpatriot3487]

i actually want to see restorative justice to be brought forth to be enchanced

[@Laura-ch7fl]

My new hero!

[@lianecornils8733]

What do you seek? Forgive or justice. What motivates you. Fear or love.

[@machinic]

She is the real super girl, God bless you sister

[@lianecornils8733]

Normally.. crimes are charged as they occur. No ones been charged lawfully here.

[@rachelwilliams502]

I love the correlation between justice & forgiveness; Furthermore, I do believe Christ died for our sins as well as those who sin against us but I've forgiven the person who hurt my children and I'm working on forgiving God for allowing their perpetrator to walk away without any consequences but I can not forgive a system that allows a man to walk free after DCS confirmed the abuse because the social worker "asked leading questions" and I don't see how knowing God died for everyone including pedophiles is going to take away the pain of what happened or make my children feel justice has been served?

[@gldesmarais9356]

The Lord God does not require your forgiveness for He is perfect.

[@fireworks4332]

Time heals broken wounds when anyone cover up the hurt it takes time . This woman is a mom she had a sexual assault towards to her and now she can heal .Speak up and say something.

[@jonathanrubino2577]

I used to have a survivor girlfriend .. I had to leave because it felt like I was always at a funeral

[@lianecornils8733]

Do you think this is the first case? Do you think this is an isolated incident?

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

The biblical view of Forgiveness. Is a two edge sword. As it says pray for those that abuse you. For doing so. You reap coals of fire upon their head. And the Lord shall reward you. But you should be just to your enemy..Cloth. Feed and Clean them up.. This was Jonah dilemma. If he goes to Nineveh. He knows God would forgive them. As they were wicked... Yet God had to drag Jonah kicking and screaming. In the end. What Jonah feared most happened. They repented. So over 500k people were saved. Untold animal life. Destruction of the city. As all life has value to the Creator. It's his to take of give. As he created it. Then to rub it in. God taken Jonah only shade away from him. As he sit on the hill watching..

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

@@theaccountwashackedbycriminals You might try learning English. As I have no idea what you just posted..

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

@@theaccountwashackedbycriminals Listen up. God Is Jesus.. Every instance you see the words, And an Angle spoke. It's Jesus...Anytime you see an instance that a flaming sword block their progress. It's Jesus.. That is the whole reason for the books of the Bible. And going around sticking your finger in other peoples eyes. Telling them how evil they are. Shows you don't understand your own issues. So you might try and remove the speck in your own eye. Before you go around condemning people.. Thank You

[@gldesmarais9356]

Do you admit that you are a GUILTY sinner, under the condemnation of God's LAW, deserving of Hellfire? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God (God in the flesh) who died upon the cross, sacrificing His precious blood to pay for your sins? Do you believe that Jesus was buried and bodily resurrected three days later? This is the Good News of the Gospel... Jesus DIED ON THE CROSS, He was BURIED and He is RISEN! Believe it friend, make it your only hope for eternal life, and you are saved!!! To be saved you simply come to God by faith, as a guilty sinner, and BELIEVE the Gospel. www.jesus-is-savior.com/salvation_webpages/12-put_all_your_faith_in_jesus.htm

[@lianecornils8733]

Its not grief. Uts z crime. And its worse then this one was. Its worse.

[@lianecornils8733]

Standing in the er. Going through my purse.

[@Helmofphilosophy]

I totally respect her presenting on such a difficult subject but I must express that this harmony of justice and forgiveness is simple bare bones protestantism. I was hoping for a more fulfilling philosophical explanation but instead was given the penal substitutionary theory of the atonement. Her mannerisms even express a type of self deception that this theory actually resolves the issue. If God is truly like this then there is no hope. But don’t misunderstand, I mean no offense. Solid presentation but poor substance.

[@steveedward7572]

16, why didn't you just go to another doctor?

[@Butterfly_486]

She couldn't because he was the docter of her team.

[@steveedward7572]

@@Butterfly_486 Anyone say I don't feel comfortable with this doctor because he is sexually abusing me I want to see another doctor. Nobody would stop you. There are tons of Sport medicine doctors around

[@Butterfly_486]

@@steveedward7572 It's not that easy

[@steveedward7572]

@@Butterfly_486 It's alot easier to go to another doctor then to go back to a doctor that sexually abused you. That would be far too traumatic and gross. There are a lot of spots doctors around. No ones going to stop you from seeing another doctor under those circumstances.

[@lianecornils8733]

Sure. India.