For the Forgiveness of Sins and Life Eternal

Abstract

In this paper the concept of forgiveness is examined from many points of view, not only from that of the Orthodox Church. The author starts from a linguistic analysis of the word ‘forgive’ in the Bible, but he extends this to ethics and existentialism. Questions as to whether forgiveness is a matter between only the offender and the sufferer are examined. He even studies the topic from the point of view of systems theory. His conclusion is that forgiveness is not an individualistic event, but that it is a healing process for the whole of creation.

The author goes deeper, trying to answer the problem, as to whether because of time, the past cannot be erased, in which case forgiveness would not be complete. But he sees that Orthodox ecclesiology can resolve this issue and argues that because of the incarnation of the Son of God, forgiveness is possible. The Eucharist transforms time—and this is a new concept—such that the present is rooted in the future and not in the past. This opens new opportunities for dialogue between religions, especially for the very practical and crucial concept of forgiveness.