ChiefCraneMaster335
USE OUTSIDE SOURCES TO PROVIDE STRUCTURED REPLY TO BOTH QUESTIONS….
USE OUTSIDE SOURCES TO PROVIDE STRUCTURED REPLY TO BOTH QUESTIONS. SOURCES MUST BE IN APA
Q1. Does forgiveness occur proportionately?
Forgiveness is not necessarily based on proportionally. For me forgiveness is not directly tied to the severity of the offense committed. Instead, forgiveness is a choice to release feelings of resentment and the desire for revenge, regardless of the magnitude of wrongdoing. It is an act of grace and mercy towards the offender, seeking to free oneself from the burden of holding on to anger and bitterness.
The Bible says, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Colossians 3:13).”
Can we forgive other sins? If so, how?
As human beings, we can choose to forgive others for their sins and wrongdoings against us. Forgiveness is a conscious decision to let go of the hurt caused by someone else and to extend compassion and mercy towards the offender. The book says, “Jesus firmly sets forgiveness in the context of our relationship with God (Cowan, 2006, p. 123). It does not mean that the offense is forgotten or condoned, but rather, it releases the hold of bitterness and allows for the possibility of reconciliation and healing.
The Bible 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 (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Matthew 6: 14-15).”
So, we can forgive someone for sinning but they still need to seek forgiveness from God. My article stated, “someone can confess a sin to us, but we do not have the power to redeem it (Faith, 2019).”
Q2. Why do you think Jesus talks about debt in the context of the woman’s actions?
The parable “the two debtors” (Cowan, 2012) in Luke 7, Jesus uses the analogy of debt to describe that those receiving the larger debt forgiveness will be more grateful and therefore show greater love and appreciation. The point Jesus is making is that love flows from forgiveness and not that the woman was forgiven for her love. The use of debt was an avenue to put this into simple terms, but the sinful woman’s debt was much larger than any finances. Our financial burdens die with us, and just as our possessions are left behind when we die so do our other responsibilities. The Pharisee said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she isthat she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39, NIV Bible). Her’s was a debt for sin and caused her to fell shame before God. Much the same way as the tax collector in Luke 18:14, “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God have mercy on me, a sinner”. (NIV Bible). Cowan states in chapter 10 “the second myth reveals the problem of state control and the corruption of power” (Cowan, 2012). In this case the forgiving of foreign debt would accomplish little since the greater debt of corruption still exists. A nation would be forever grateful if their economy, infrastructure, freedoms, and social justice had been repaired.
Given the economic problems of the world, do you think Jesus should be a symbol for political campaign and protest?
I feel that true Christianity should be projected in the way we live our lives and not as a campaign slogan. Jesus and the Bible is not a buffet that we take what we like and pass over what we don’t want. Jesus speaks of this in Matthew 7:15-16, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (NIV Bible). Using religion for an unintended purpose leads to fanaticism in the direction of the fanatics choosing. If a politician was truly a Christian, they would not have to go to great lengths to prove it to everyone.
