Confession Theology - how does this work?

[Markie Boy]

So I'm struggling so hard with Catholicism. Confession theology they have makes no sense to me. Can anyone tell me if Orthodoxy is similar to this or different. This is a conversation between Me and the RCC's teaching - please evaluate.

RCC - you have to go to confession to be forgiven for your sins.

Me - can I confess direct to God?

RCC - yes, but it has to be a perfect act of contrition to be forgiven the.

Me - so if I go confess to the priest and it's not a perfect act of contrition - does he make up the difference?

RCC - provides various angles and answers at this point, gets quite complicated.

It seems the only logical conclusion is God forgives with or without a priest, if you are truly wanting to repent and change your ways.

What does Orthodoxy do with all of this??

 

[prodromos]

Your confessor is kind of like your doctor. He gets to hear the symptoms of your particular ailments and can give advice on how you can strengthen yourself to avoid falling into the same spiritual illnesses. It is also beneficial to have a witness to our confession because it strengthens our resolve not to commit those same sins again. It's one thing to confess to God who already knows everything we have done and failed to do, it is another thing altogether to confess those things to another human being who doesn't.
God forgives always, but there is much benefit to confessing to our priest and God always wants what's best for us.

 

[ArmyMatt]

confession taps you into the forgiveness that God already gives you, and restores you to your baptismal purity.

 

[archer75]

Strictly speaking, we confess to God directly in the presence of a "witness" (usually a priest, sometimes someone else with a blessing to hear confessions).

 

[Markie Boy]

I have heard much of what you guys stated, and it is less troubling that what I feel in the RCC. There one is to confess to the priest, who is an Alter Christus so they say.

So confession to the priest there seems far different than confessing direct to God.

So Orthodoxy would not view this as the same?

From what I see from this forum, Orthodoxy seems to be more about spiritual healing and growth, while in the RCC I keep feeling like it's about meeting the requirements of cannon law.

 

[ArmyMatt]

no, it's not the same. as a priest, I am the tool God uses, and I offer advice and witness.

 

[Lukaris]

If I recall correctly, confession in Orthodoxy is understood often in relation to King David & Nathan the prophet ( 2 Samuel 12 ). This is why we often read Psalms 51 which is David’s confession. ( it is actually Psalm 50 in our Bibles but I linked the western # for convenience).

 

[~Anastasia~]

If I recall correctly, confession in Orthodoxy is understood often in relation to King David & Nathan the prophet ( 2 Samuel 12 ). This is why we often read Psalms 51 which is David’s confession. ( it is actually Psalm 50 in our Bibles but I linked the western # for convenience).

Are the prayers the priest prays always the same?

I’ve been to a few different confessors now, but 99% was with only one priest. The prayers seem almost the same to me always, and mention King David and Nathan the prophet.

Does it vary by jurisdiction? Mostly I’ve been to Greek priests, and one Antiochian.

 

[Goodhuman]

I have never been to confession, because I didn't need to, except once when I told my priest that I have sinned, without asked me. Confession not release the soul from the sin, but God accepts you again.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Are the prayers the priest prays always the same?

I’ve been to a few different confessors now, but 99% was with only one priest. The prayers seem almost the same to me always, and mention King David and Nathan the prophet.

Does it vary by jurisdiction? Mostly I’ve been to Greek priests, and one Antiochian.

I think technically it can vary priest to priest. I have heard a lot of various prayers (at least in the OCA). the Byzantines seem more uniform.

 

[Lukaris]

I think technically it can vary priest to priest. I have heard a lot of various prayers (at least in the OCA). the Byzantines seem more uniform.

I am Antiochian Orthodox & have only ever confessed in our local parish. The same standard prayer & references to King David & Nathan the prophet are mentioned alongside others like the Prodigal Son, Publican etc. These are in our prayer book.

Surely, I agree that some variation is practiced among different Orthodox Churches.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I am Antiochian Orthodox & have only ever confessed in our local parish. The same standard prayer & references to King David & Nathan the prophet are mentioned alongside others like the Prodigal Son, Publican etc. These are in our prayer book.

Surely, I agree that some variation is practiced among different Orthodox Churches.

I have heard that prayer at the Antiochian parish near my folks.

 

[All4Christ]

Are the prayers the priest prays always the same?

I’ve been to a few different confessors now, but 99% was with only one priest. The prayers seem almost the same to me always, and mention King David and Nathan the prophet.

Does it vary by jurisdiction? Mostly I’ve been to Greek priests, and one Antiochian.

The Slavonic prayer is different. I think it had some influences on the prayer. The version about King David and Nathan the prophet is older.