Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
Pastor John Fronds refused to sue even when encouraged by “prominent authorities,” quoting “Vengeance is mine,” and later forgave one of his kidnappers face-to-face and pursued ongoing reconciliation; what does his response reveal about God’s character and priorities, and what concrete changes would be required in your instincts about rights, self-protection, lawsuits, and “getting even” to live that way?
Another way to ask: Pastor John Fronds refused to sue, forgave a kidnapper in person, and kept working toward peace. What does his choice show about what God cares about, and what would you need to change in your habits about revenge, self-defense, lawsuits, and “getting even” to live like that?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, Fronds’ response reflects trust in God’s justice and a priority on forgiveness and reconciliation over personal rights and retaliation. To live that way would require surrendering the instinct to “get even,” refusing vengeance-driven action, and choosing active, ongoing reconciliation when possible.
- Fronds suffered severe injustice: kidnapped by “about 12 men,” including “the sheriff and chief of police,” and taken to the Badlands “where they intended to hang him.”
- Afterward, “prominent authorities” urged him: “Let’s sue the county for damages on a 50-50 basis,” but “John refused.”
- His reason was explicitly biblical: “Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord,” and “he never sued.”
- Forgiveness became personal and direct: when a kidnapper asked forgiveness, “John…reaching out his hand…‘Yes, I willingly forgive you.’”
- He chose to “forget the thing ever happened…forgiven, it’s forgotten,” and shared this with the brotherhood who “rejoiced.”
- Reconciliation was ongoing: in town they would “purposely get together…shake hands,” and the former kidnapper later offered help.