Article Review IV
Jon Skeens
COMS 560 D03 LUO
Professor Clifford Kelly
May 5th 2015
A Theology of Forgiveness: Terminology, Rhetoric, & the Dialectic of Interfaith Relationships
In A Theology of Forgiveness: Terminology, Rhetoric, & the Dialectic of Interfaith
Relationships, author, Rodney Petersen identifies forgiveness as the desire to heal broken
relationships and find acceptance as a universal religious foundation throughout history[Pet01].
Providing a historical account, Petersen addresses how forgiveness has played a part in
recovering from violent and oppressive situations, pointing out how living a life of forgiveness
can bring unforeseen blessings to present day situations such as Deitrich Bonheoffer’s concept of
“costly grace”, Corrie Ten Boom’s devotion, and the Simone Weil’s desire for unity with
God[Pet01].
Recognizing forgiveness as a gift, Petersen desires for all to understand the ultimate
sacrifice offering God’s forgiveness to all who believe, and the opportunity to repent and release
forgiveness in our own lives[Pet01]. Petersen desires for all to understand the implications of
reconciliation and justification within the process of forgiveness, allowing the introduction of
opportunity for a relationship with Christ and other believers. While forgiveness, as a concept, is
present outside Christian circles, it is necessary to understand the true concept is rooted in God’s
work, granting further insight on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ[Pet01].
In this article, Petersen implies true forgiveness goes beyond ritualistic concepts within
the church, allowing each person to discover their sense of value in forgiveness, granting its
essential place in human relationships[Pet01]. It is important for humanity to comprehend the
importance of asking and providing forgiveness, while discovering its effectiveness in our
individual lives. I believe, while therapeutic forgiveness is challenged by theological truths, it is
to be recognized, given, and received as an aspect in our common identity.[Pet01].
In previous articles, we have addressed the issue of forgiveness as unnecessary in some
conflict resolution processes. However, I would argue the fact forgiveness allows for the process
of reconciliation to occur within the broken relationship. It is vital to understand how the trio of
justification, reconciliation, and forgiveness can lead to restoration requiring full cooperation
from involved parties and supporting figures for true forgiveness to occur. Many situations,
relying on the foundation of forgiveness, is not limited to a simple agreement between two
people, but it provides a covenant creating a sacred promise to maintain a life centered on
forgiveness and reconciliation as Christ provided us on the cross.
References
Petersen, R. L. (2001). A Theology of Forgiveness: Terminology, Rhetoric, & the Dialect of
Interfaith Relationships. In R. Helmick, & R. L. Petersen (Eds.), Forgiveness and
Reconciliation: Religion, Public Policy, and Conflict Transformation (pp. 3-25). West
Conshohocken: Templeton Foundation Press.
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