Logic of Retribution and Biblical Forgiveness Among the Wore People of Papua New Guinea

This book is an adaptation of my doctoral dissertation, the purpose of which was to research the Logic of Retribution and the response to teachings about biblical forgiveness after the implementation of Story-Based Trauma Healing (SBTH) lesson seven, How Can We Forgive Others in the Wore people group of the Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). In PNG, there exists a cultural norm of paying back offenses. Though the Wore have a system in place for bringing about peace when a grievance has occurred, after implementation of the SBTH course, the Wore reasoned that their cultural road to peace lacked a personal encounter with Jesus and true forgiveness.

Jennifer W. Belcher

Dr. Jennifer Belcher and her husband, Ron, serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators and are seconded to SIL in Papua New Guinea. Part of Jennifer’s role with SIL is helping with oral programs such as the Story-Based Trauma Healing Course and Oral Bible Storytelling.