A Question That Needs Answering: "How" Does God Forgive?

[I think I've touched on this sort of question before at Contratimes, but I am not sure I've explicitly asked readers for input. While this is an undeniably Christian topic I am raising, I urge anyone who feels inclined to jump in and offer an opinion.]

Yesterday I landed on a capital blog wherein one of the site's contributors asked a very interesting question of those who describe themselves as "evangelical." The question was asked by UPenn law professor David Skeel. He asked: "Should evangelicals forgive the environmental movement?"

I am not interested here in discussing either evangelicalism or the environmental movement. What interests me is the notion of forgiveness, the mechanics of forgiveness, if you will.

In shaping his question, Professor Skeel notes Jesus' admonition delivered exactly after His presentation of the Lord's Prayer. Recall that the Lord's Prayer includes this petition: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Jesus then says “...if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14)

Interesting. Now, when taking Jesus' admonition and combining it with St. Paul's admonition in Colossians 3:13 where he says "Forgive as the Lord forgave you," I wonder if it is safe for us to conclude that God forgives us conditionally. Surely there is one condition that must be met before we are forgiven, namely, we must forgive others. If we don't, then there is no forgiveness.

Here is part of my question: Does God ONLY forgive those who ask Him? And here is another part: Do we need to be contrite and repentant in order to be forgiven by God?

Please note that at times Jesus seems quite generous with his absolution. He forgives the sins of the paralytic man in one sweeping statement; he forgives the sins of the prostitute weeping at his feet. Neither person is reported to have asked for forgiveness. Perhaps that these two souls simply approached him implies that each is deeply contrite; that their petitions are found in the fact that they have sought Christ out. But what of Jesus' petition while hanging on the cross: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?" Are the folks at the foot of the cross forgiven in total? Or are they only forgiven for the part they've played in His death?

So here's the question, in full: Do I, as a person who seeks to be approved of God by His grace and mercy and love, forgive others ONLY if they are repentant and contrite: do I forgive them ONLY if they ask for it? Or do I just forgive liberally, without condition?

If I do forgive without condition, do I forgive like God forgives? But we already know God forgives conditionally: He will not forgive those who do not forgive others. Does God forgive those who do not want to be forgiven? Does He forgive those who do not believe they've done anything wrong or that they have any debts?

And note what St. John says: "IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, emphasis added) Add to this what Jesus said about forgiving one's brother (Luke 17:3-4):

""If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

Isn't this proof that forgiveness is conditional?

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Returning to Mr. Skeel's question -- whether evangelicals should forgive the environmental movement for its old contention that Christianity is responsible for polluting and defiling the earth with its "You shall have dominion over the earth"† banner leading the way to all forms of environmental degradation -- should Christians forgive this absurd and unjust environmentalist charge against the Church IF those making the charge are unrepentant? What if they do not care to be forgiven? What if they refuse to acknowledge any culpability and blame? What if they continue to insist they are right? Must Christians forgive them -- especially if those same environmentalists refuse to forgive Christianity? Should Christians forgive those who don't forgive them if God does not forgive those who don't forgive?

PLEASE, I implore you to share your thoughts on this matter. It is a worthy topic; it has ramifications for the whole of the Gospel, of how it is perceived and how it is presented. I have not arrived at a conclusion here. And in an email exchange with Professor Skeel, I promised him that I would try to find an answer. That is why I turn to you, my readers.

Any thoughts?

(If you are uncomfortable sharing your thoughts in this forum, you may email me, though I would prefer to maintain an unbroken comments thread. But do what makes you feel most comfortable.)

(Also, this is a DISCUSSION forum, at least today. It is not a DEBATE. Is that OK?)

Peace.

†It mustn't be overlooked that the passage in question, Genesis 1:26ff, is a distinctly Jewish passage.

©Bill Gnade 2008/Contratimes. All Rights Reserved.