6 Comments
User's avatar
David Eck's avatar

Thanks, Bnonn. I appreciate this much considering the current challenges in the life of my family right now.

Expand full comment
J. Adam Kane's avatar

Forgive me if I have misunderstood (pun unavoidable), but, isn't there a real difference between one's stance of readiness to forgive, which is the same as no longer holding the sin against the offender and teleologically releasing it to God as you said, and personally granting absolution verbally, which is the consummation and completion of the cycle of forgiveness, the former being always necessary but inadequate for the what the offender needs, and the latter being the holistic process that only confession, repentance, and the seeking of that absolution can receive?

Expand full comment
Bnonn Tennant's avatar

Yes. What you describe as the consummation and completion of forgiveness is what I, following Paul, have called reconciliation. Ultimately forgiveness is a sort of probation. It either leads to repentance, reconciliation, and restoration; or it exposes the hardness of heart and leads to judgment, vengeance, and cutting off.

Expand full comment
J. Adam Kane's avatar

I at least can't offer an immediate rebuttal to your argument, so I tentatively accept it, though, in the case of Webbon, it seems to me we are dealing with a difference in definitions. You have the more precise definition of forgiveness, but don't you mean essentially the same as he? I am actually not sure and am asking in good faith.

Expand full comment
Bnonn Tennant's avatar

It's possible, but one of the things that concerns me about Webbon is the lack of care and clarity. He doesn't seem to be motivated by helping men grow in piety so much as by driving engagement.

Expand full comment
J. Adam Kane's avatar

I think you're fit for this medium, and he for where he is, i.e. different parts of the body coordinating for the victory. Perhaps his youthfulness is showing (39-ish years old), but I think he's a decent exponent for our cause.

Expand full comment