I literally had a light bulb moment as I read your discussion regarding
McMinn’s (2019) and Worthington’s (2014) references to the path of
forgiveness. Although their paths to achieve forgiveness (Levels of
explanation and Integration of Positive Psychology and Church) were
different, both made references to empirical evidence for forgiveness.
They found forgiveness is necessary for wholeness of the mind, body and
Spirit. I had not viewed the trinity of humankind in that way until recently
(systems, organs, cells) fashioned after the likeness of the Father, Jesus
and the Holy Spirit (MEV, Gen. 1: 27). 5
I had never imagined that McMinn’s five steps of the levels of explanation
regarding forgiveness, reflected that a greater hurt gap necessitated a
greater level of remorse desired (from the individual that apologizes). I
was taught to forgive by my Christian grandmother at a young age. I
forgave individuals even if they never apologized. I expected individuals
to make healthy choices as they stayed in my life from that point forward.
However, that was not idealistic in real life. My naïve idea for
reconciliation allowed unhealthy individuals to remain in my life.
However, I have previously heard a comment similar to the comparison
Worthington made related to society’s distortions and Psychology
concerning human self – perception and the “big Me” (2014). This
perception could be a contributing factor to whether an individual would
apologize and if they apologized, how sincere would the apology be? That
is one of the main reasons I agree that Positive Psychology has to
continue to integrate a biblical foundation. The bible says to love God,
love your neighbor (MEV, Mark 12: 30, 31) and to forgive an offender
(MEV, Mat. 18: 22). That involved two giving and taking. If the whole bible
is not instituted to address sin as sin, humankind can continue to perceive
from society’s distorted view.
Both scholars also had corresponding views that forgiveness and
reconciliation are totally different things. An analogy of this would be like
being in the garden of Eden and choosing to eat the fruit from two
different trees. Forgiveness and its healing virtue seem similar to eating
from the tree of life and God’s knowledge (MEV, Gen. 2: 19).
Reconciliation seems similar to eating from the tree of good and evil
because it only works when both individuals take an active role to bring
life back to the relationship. Reconciliation does not work when one
individual has the “big Me” perception (Worthington, 2014) and eats the
fruit of distortion, thereby hindering God’s ways (MEV, Gen. 2: 17).
5
Reference
Ackerman, C. (2018). What is self – image and How do we improve it?
Retrieved from: https//positivepsychology.com/self-image.
McMinn, M. (2019). The Science of virtue: Why Positive Psychology
matters to the church.
Modern Evangelism Version, Breakthrough Jubilee Bible. (2014). Military
Bible.
Worthington, E. (2014). Mind your heart conference. Center for Christian
Thought.
