CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS: Conditional or Unconditional

1
CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS Conditional or
Unconditional?
2
INTRODUCTION
A Complex and Controversial Issue
3
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.
4
2. FORGIVENESS IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONAL

• Champions of this view usually cite 3 Biblical
  evidences
• Jesuss teaching on unconditional forgiveness
  (Matthew 1815-17)
• Jesuss prayer of forgiveness on the Cross (Luke
  2334)
• Stephens prayer for his enemies (Acts 760)

Surprisingly, this is a minority rather than a
majority view.
5
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.
MacArthurs above statement however requires
further qualification.
6
AN EVALUATION OF THE 3 VIEWS
For position 1 and 2

• An approach based on selective evidences from the
  Bible
• 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.
7
B) A CONTEXTUAL APPROACH TO RELEVANT BIBLE
PASSAGES

• The above approach enables us to integrate
  conditional and unconditional forgiveness
• Matthew 1815-17, 21-35
• A juxtaposition of conditional and unconditional
  forgiveness
• An apparent rather than a real discrepancy

8
2. Matthew 521-24
Why there is a need for considering Matthew 18
first?

• Matthew 5 serves as an illustration of Matthew 18
• Another juxtaposition of conditional and
  unconditional forgiveness

9
3. Matthew 612
Why does Jesus refer to our sins as debts ?
This term helps us to understand the issue of
forgiveness
10
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
11
b) An Instantaneous Event
Jesus on the Cross Stephen the martyr

• A calling to embody this type of forgiveness in
  our heart (Matthew 1835)
• A question of exercising the will (Matthew
  1830)
• No matter how great the offence, we have to
  forgive. Wang Ming Tao

12
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 15 and 1625-26

13

• A Process depending on the Sincerity and Maturity
  of both parties
• Very difficult to practice in real life.

14
D) A BIBLICAL INTEGRATION OF CONDITIONAL AND
UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENSS
1. OT example Josephs 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 5020
15
CONCLUSION
Why should we aim at relational or reconciliatory
forgiveness?

• God has called us to the ministry of
  reconciliation (2 Corinthians 518-20)
• God wants us to be at peace with all people
  (Romans 1218)