Do Christians have the power to give absolution

[hedgehogjim]

I had inadvertently posted the below into the wrong forum earlier ... apologies to anyone whose already seen it.

The book "Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life" talks about the power of Christian caregivers to give absolution. (the books author is Protestant not Catholic)

This seems a bit extreme to me. I believe our job is more about sharing the message and grace of Christ.

I'd be really interested in hearing people's feelings on the issue.

My pastor addresses that quote in a short online column but I'm too new to the forum to be allowed to post links.

If you'd like to read the quote from the book and a detailed response, Google Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration (or click on my name above and select my "homepage") then view the church's "Ask The Rev" column (found on the Enrichment menu)

Thanks,
Jim

 

[seeingeyes]

A very interesting question. I know that a few years ago I would have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the teachers of the law, crying out, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But there are tantalizing hints that we 'purify' each other in love throughout the Bible.

Other than the verses in your link, I'm thinking of things like "For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife" (1 Cor 7:14) or the idea that "salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22).

The reverse, that we can desecrate each other, is more readily accepted.

But if we are to enter into God's work ("I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15), how can we avoid doing God's work of forgiveness?

 

[ViaCrucis]

The Gospel of John specifically has Jesus giving His Apostles the privilege to declare the forgiveness of sins.

No insignificant thing.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[miamited]

Hi hedgehogjim,

This one the Jews got right. No one can forgive sin but God alone.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[judechild]

Ah, and yet as Shakespeare says "He who of great works is finisher / oft does them by the weakest minister." Saying that the Apostles could not forgive sins in Jesus' name is a direct contradiction of Christ's words spoken on the very day of the Resurrection "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:22). Of course, like Aesop's wolf who wanted a bunch of grapes that were beyond his reach and ended up trying to convince himself that they were sour, it is easy to de-preciate something you do not not have or don't practice yourself.

But still, the power of absolution only makes sense in the context of an ordained clergy, because while the power to bind and loose was given to the Apostles and their successors, it was not given to the crowds or even the seventy-some whom Jesus sent out to preach. The Apostles were meant to be effective signs of God, bringing His presence and grace in the same way as if Christ Himself was bringing it (hence, they are given the power to heal the sick through annointing, drive out demons, teach in His name and authority, and even their shadows could heal - similar to Jesus' cloak and the hemorraging woman).

 

[NoAgnostics]

Upon our death we shall find ourselves stood before the kingdom of heaven with only God as our judge. God at this point shall not forgive for any acts of wrong that we have not sought to reconcile with God in life, for God has known our sins and our sincerity from even before the moment we have made them, God cannot be deceived.

It would be redundant to absolve a person on behalf of God for God would not accept that absolution unless it is seen by the eyes of God to be wholly justified. No person should assume their debt repaid, we cannot know it to be yay or nay until the becoming of their consequence: Sighting the fields of heaven or the fires of Hell.

Stay true to God for God begot you.
Peace

 

[Fearless12]

Just as any power that is given by a higher authority, it would have to be used within that higher authority's established standards. If I am a liaison for a certain office, and it is my job to represent that office, that job will come with the authority of that office backing me. If, however, I decide to abuse my position of delegated authority, my office will certainly remove me from the position and work to undo whatever incorrect action I have taken.

So for a real world example, I would say that Pope Innocent III did not have the authority to offer absolution to thugs, bandits and murderers who agreed to participate in the Albigensian Crusade for 40 days. We can certainly offer mercy to people, but to say that all your sins are forgiven if you will spend 40 days slaughtering Cathars and the Christians who protect them would, in my mind, be something that the Pope did not actually have the spiritual authority to do.