Original scientific paper

Must Christ's Followers Always Forgive?

Dario Tokić ; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

There is a possible widespread opinion that a Christian must always forgive. Or, at least, should forgive. There are some New Testament texts which could be used in support of that claim - it seems - presenting forgiveness as a legal or heavy moral obligation. This is just a too simple way to approach New Testament texts, which often produces very hard pastoral situations, with unjust pressure directed toward a victim of a »must/should forgive«, without respect for possible eventual new injuries of such pressure. The present article for the first time collects New Testament passages which could be comprehended as imposing a burden of heavy legal or moral obligation to forgive. Carefully analyzing their contexts and meanings under two main titles: I. Examples of Jesus' unforgiveness (in his deeds and teaching); and II. The Imperatives of forgiveness, the author concludes that the NT message of mutual human forgiveness is not presented in any form of legal or moral prescription to put anyone under unconditional obligation, in dependence of our eternal salvation. They are rather presented in various forms of pastoral exhortations, colored by vivid pictures of parables, with the intention of motivating and educating the people for mutual forgiveness. That conclusion should influence our contemporary speech of forgiveness, to be more carefully prepared with closer attention and more empathy for victims, trying more to inspire and motivate them than to command them.

Keywords

forgiveness; Gospel; The Lord's Prayer

Hrčak ID:

25583

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/25583

Publication date:

7.5.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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