How we cite our quotes: (Letter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"It don't matter," she would say, in that low, soft voice of hers. That was what she said when she meant she forgave someone, but it had a sound of deeper, sadder resignation, as if she were forgiving the whole of the created order, forgiving the Lord Himself. (1.14.31)
It's funny how knowing someone well can make all the difference when interpreting them. Taken on its own, the assertion that harm doesn't matter seems almost nihilistic. But Ames knows his wife. He knows that her words are words of unconditional forgiveness.
Quote #8
…in Scripture, the one sufficient reason for the forgiveness of a debt is simply the existence of debt. (1.15.19)
Ames appeals to a biblical ethic of forgiveness, one that asks for no return and expects no return. There's a debt. You forgive it, expecting nothing in return. It's that simple.
Quote #9
He could knock me down the stairs and I would have worked out the theology for forgiving him before I reached the bottom. But if he harmed you in the slightest way, I'm afraid theology would fail me. (1.16.9)
There are limits to Ames's ability to forgive. If Jack were to harm him, he'd have no trouble forgiving him in the moment. But if Jack were to harm his son, Ames's response would not be forgiveness but retaliation and resentment. His anger would overpower his Christian faith. At least, that's how he feels at this moment.