CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS: Conditional or Unconditional?

INTRODUCTION

A Complex and Controversial Issue

A) 3 MAJOR VIEWS ON THE ISSUE OF FORGIVENESS

1. FORGIVENESS IS ALWAYS CONDITIONAL

Jay Adams commenting on Matthew 18:

If forgiveness were unconditional, then this entire process of [church] discipline would be impossible. It is my contention that the very existence of such a program as this requires us to believe that forgiveness is conditional.

A very dogmatic stand by Jay Adams here.

Champions of this view usually cite 3 Biblical evidences:

a)Jesus’s teaching on unconditional forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-17)

b)Jesus’s prayer of forgiveness on the Cross (Luke 23:34)

c)Stephen’s prayer for his enemies (Acts 7:60)

2. FORGIVENESS IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONAL

Surprisingly, this is a minority rather than a majority view.

3. FORGIVENESS IS UNCONDITIONAL AND CONDITIONAL

Pastor John MacArthur supports this view:

“While it is often true that forgiveness involves a two-way transaction, it is not true of all forgiveness. There are times when forgiveness should be unconditional and unilateral, and there are other times when forgiveness must be withheld until the offender repents.”

MacArthur’s above statement however requires further qualification.

AN EVALUATION OF THE 3 VIEWS

For position 1 and 2

a)An approach based on selective evidences from the Bible

b)A failure to integrate the two types of forgiveness in the Bible

Position 3 appears to be more balanced, but requires an in-depth explanation.

B) A CONTEXTUAL APPROACH TO RELEVANT BIBLE PASSAGES

The above approach enables us to integrate conditional and unconditional forgiveness:

1)Matthew 18:15-17, 21-35

a)A juxtaposition of conditional and unconditional forgiveness

b)An apparent rather than a real discrepancy

2. Matthew 5:21-24

Why there is a need for considering Matthew 18 first?

a)Matthew 5 serves as an illustration of Matthew 18

b)Another juxtaposition of conditional and unconditional forgiveness

3. Matthew 6:12

Why does Jesus refer to our sins as “debts” ?

This term helps us to understand the issue of forgiveness

C) A THEOLOGICAL EXPLANATION OF TWO TYPES OF FORGIVENESS

1. JUDICIAL FORGIVENSS

Or forensic forgiveness

a) Not Conditional on Human Repentance Does not result in any reconciliation, but is the first step towards this process

b) An Instantaneous EventJesus on the Cross

Stephen the martyr

• A calling to embody this type of forgiveness in our heart (Matthew 18:35)

• A question of exercising the will (Matthew 18:30)

• No matter how great the offence, we have to forgive. Wang Ming Tao

2. RELATIONAL FORGIVENESS

Or reconciliatory forgiveness

a) Conditional on Human Repentance This represents the ultimate goal of forgiveness

•May not necessarily be achieved at all times.

•Obligatory for each one of us.

Not to use service as a substitute A question of obedience ultimately. See Romans 1:5 and 16:25-26

b)A Process depending on the Sincerity and Maturity of both parties

Very difficult to practice in real life.

D) A BIBLICAL INTEGRATION OF CONDITIONAL AND UNCONDITIONAL

FORGIVENSS

1. OT example : Joseph’s case

Why did Joseph play simulation games with his brothers?

Why did Joseph not forgive them on the spot?

2. A need to note the gravity of the offence

See Genesis 50:20

CONCLUSION

Why should we aim at relational or reconciliatory forgiveness?

a)God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

b)God wants us to be at peace with all people (Romans 12:18)