Christian Beliefs About Forgiveness Essay

As I was reading the chapter on forgiveness in Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by McMinn (2011), the personal life experience that jumped out to me was when I had to make the decision to truly forgive my ex-boyfriend and his parents for the emotional pain they caused me. After living in New Jersey for a month and spending time with my boyfriend and his family, working, and taking care of an elderly lady with dementia my world came crashing down on me. My ex-boyfriend’s parents discovered sin in his life and told me I could no longer pursue a relationship with him because of the sins he had committed. After finding out the sinful things my ex-boyfriend had done, I chose to forgive him. I also chose to give him a second chance at a relationship with me, but my effort to salvage our relationship was futile.

The author have shown his deep study about forgiveness. He writer has given names of the people who are working on this topic to gain reader’s attention. The writer also gives the result of whole research by the 2 researchers and states that

What is forgiveness? What is the purpose of forgiving? What is required to do so?

Often we are asked the question, can justice and forgiveness go hand in hand? A lot of people believe they can’t. That only one can exist not the other. For some it’s true, they only believe someone can either give forgive, or justice, neither both. Then there are the few people who believe they go hand in hand, one can’t exist without the other. That’s true as well. I’m not sure where I stand exact on the line for these two, maybe exactly on the line. I believe they go hand in hand and in some cases only one works, all depending on the situation. Now we’ve read a number of stories regarding this, but most of them doing with forgiveness and justice going hand in hand. I’m going to talk about a few of these stories, and see where you fall

What do you want to pass down to your children? From the beginning of time having a family was important. Astonishingly, to have children and pass the family name down is still a blessing today. Teaching the future generation traits and qualities is essentially creating tomorrow’s leaders. This question makes me consider how one simple act can mold people’s lives and accordingly create a chain reaction. One trait I aspire for my children to inherit is my quality of forgiveness. Forgiveness changed my perspective in the world by understanding how much of an impression it has on the world’s faith, perseverance, and love.

is not primarily any of these - it is for the purpose of reform and

Forgiveness has been defined in many ways by psychologists and researchers with no one universal definition. Hill (as cited in Maltby, Day and Mackaskill 2001) state that it is widely agreed that forgiveness involves a willingness to abandon resentment, negative judgement and indifferent behaviour towards the person who has hurt them Although research is recent, from the last 15 years, it has helped develop our understanding of forgiveness . Research has shown that forgiveness gives positive mental health and prevents the development of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and stress. Two major models of forgiveness are Enright’s model and Worthington’s (2001) pyramid model to REACH forgiveness. Both these models involve steps and

Final Exam Essay Back in the Old Testament days, the people accepted the notion of “an eye for an eye,” or revenge. Exodus 22:2-3 says, “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him.” This just goes to show how brutal the beliefs and teachings were back then. I think that an eye for an eye is not a good basis for punishment because it is wrong, it never solves anything, and the New Testament condemns the act.

In one of C.S. Lewis’ numerous influential books, The Weight of Glory, he states, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” Throughout life people often become angry with another person, or at a situation. Whether a person is in control of that situation or not, as a Christian, the Bible speaks of forgiving and loving others no matter the fault committed against a person. The quote by C.S. Lewis is an example of how it is inexcusable for Christians to not forgive others because God constantly forgives. While Stephen does not completely struggle with the forgiveness aspect throughout his experiences in the book, the various times he becomes angry with another character can sometimes prevent him from forgiving that person right away. In Alan Paton's Cry the Beloved Country, the main character Stephen Kumalo sins against his sister Gertrude and his sons girlfriend, and this shows how Stephen struggles with controlling his anger throughout the story.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also". (Matthew 5: 38-39.)

What practical steps could be taken to build a relationship with a follower of this worldview who might be a co-worker, neighbor, etc.?

The idea is that “churches can promote forgiving by promoting an environment that explicitly values forgiveness by preaching, teaching, and providing experiential opportunities that explicitly promote forgiveness (p.279).” (Enright & Magnusin, 2008, p. 115) Although churches teach forgiveness, in changing the way in which the message of forgiveness is delivered, the effects of change in the congregation as it relates to forgiveness should have greater rewards. It is essential, as the reading discusses to start these teachings in childhood and continue it through adulthood. I found it surprising that in general most churches probably don’t even teach forgiveness ten percent of the time. But the health of the church, both from the victim to the offender, is imperative for the church body. How can a church practice the love of God, when they are harboring unforgiveness in their hearts? Matthew 6:14-15 says “ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ( ESV) Forgiveness is the key to our spiritual growth and our ability to enter into the God’s presence in prayer and in

Of particular interest to me was the complicated nature of categorizing and defining self-forgiveness. What seemed to be a simple concept is, in fact, layered with multiple levels of complex considerations that must be addressed in order to properly define and diagram self-forgiveness.

In the King James Version of the Bible, there is a parable told called the Prodigal Son. As this story is told in Luke 15:11-32, we are told of a story where a wealthy man has two sons. One son stays behind and decides to work for his father and inherit a good life beside him. The younger son decides he will ask for money from his father, and leave him behind. As time goes on, this son goes out into the world and shortly after, loses all of his money he had received from his father. Because of this, he is ashamed and takes his time on his way back home. But when he eventually does make it home, he is welcomed with open arms to a loving father who could not be any happier to see his son. Although the father is happy to see

Forgiveness is a hard thing to give because forgiveness of another human being involves having you to forgive yourself. It seems a lot easier to withhold forgiveness and remain a victim. The forgiveness that I have given away or I have received has shaped who I am today, therefore becoming a part of me.