We are often pressed to forgive or in need of forgiveness: Wrongdoing is common. Even after a perpetrator has been taken to court and punished, forgiveness still has a role to play. How should a victim and a perpetrator relate to each other outside the courtroom, and how should others relate to them? Communicating about forgiveness is particularly urgent in cases of civil war and crimes against humanity inside a community where, if there were no forgiveness, the community would fall apart. Forgiveness is governed by social and, in particular, by moral norms. Do those who ask to be forgiven have to fulfil certain conditions for being granted forgiveness? And what does the granting of forgiveness consist in? We may feel like refusing to forgive those perpetrators who have committed the most horrendous crimes. But is such a refusal justified even if they repent their crimes? Could there be a duty for the victim to forgive? Can forgiveness be granted by a third party? Under which conditions may we forgive ourselves? The papers collected in the present volume address all these questions, exploring the practice of forgiveness and its normative constraints. Topics include the ancient Chinese and the Christian traditions of forgiveness, the impact of forgiveness on the moral dignity and self-respect of the victim, self-forgiveness, the narrative of forgiveness as well as the limits of forgiveness. Such limits may arise from the personal, historical, or political conditions of wrongdoing or from the emotional constraints of the victims.

In this book, David Konstan argues that the modern concept of interpersonal forgiveness, in the full sense of the term, did not exist in ancient Greece and Rome. Even more startlingly, it is not fully present in the Hebrew Bible, nor in the New Testament or in the early Jewish and Christian commentaries on the Holy Scriptures. It would still be centuries - many centuries - before the idea of interpersonal forgiveness, with its accompanying ideas of apology, remorse, and a change of heart on the part of the wrongdoer, would emerge. For all its vast importance today in religion, law, politics and psychotherapy, interpersonal forgiveness is a creation of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when the Christian concept of divine forgiveness was fully secularized. Forgiveness was God's province and it took a revolution in thought to bring it to earth and make it a human trait.

In this well-researched and ethical study, Vee Chandler combines insight gathered from the writings of scholars and Christian philosophers with personal observations and biblical perspectives to examine the nature and value of forgiveness and help those struggling with the concepts of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Chandler begins by exploring key questions such as, When does God forgive and not forgive? and, What is God's wrath and mercy? and then attempts to answer these questions by first defining terms according to their scriptural usage. She then examines the relationship between repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation according to the biblical model. In the second section, Chandler exegetically scrutinizes scriptural texts related to interpersonal forgiveness as well as passages concerning how God's people should relate to their enemies and to evil persons. Finally Chandler examines the ethics of forgiveness from a moral and philosophical point of view, and ultimately establishes a model for forgiveness and reconciliation based on the biblical pattern and defended from a logical and ethical perspective. Biblical Boundaries of Forgiveness embraces the contribution of Christian philosophers while examining the nature and value of forgiveness from spiritual and moral viewpoints.

What does it mean to forgive? The answer is widely assumed to be self-evident but critical analysis quickly reveals the complexities of the subject. Forgiveness has traditionally been the preserve of Christian theology, though in the last half century - and at an accelerating pace - psychologists, lawyers, politicians and moral philosophers have all been making an important contribution to questions about and our understanding of the subject. Anthony Bash offers a vigorous restatement of the Christian view of forgiveness in critical dialogue with those both within and without the Christian tradition. Forgiveness is a much more complicated subject than many theologians recognize. Bash explores the relevance of the theoretical discussion of the topic to recent events such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, post-Holocaust trials, the aftermath of 9/11 and July 7 and various high-profile criminal cases.

Transform Your Life with Timeless Wisdom: Navigate Daily Choices with Faith and Integrity In a world teeming with moral complexities and ethical dilemmas, "Christian Ethics: Embodying Christian Values in Daily Decisions" emerges as a beacon of light for individuals seeking to navigate life's challenges with grace and wisdom. This compelling book invites you on a transformative journey to the heart of Christian morality, offering practical guidance on how to embody faith and integrity in every aspect of your life. Embark on this journey with an Introduction that lays the foundation for understanding the essence and significance of Christian Ethics. Chapter 1 delves into the core of Christian morality, exploring its unique characteristics and the pivotal role of Scripture and historical perspectives in ethical decision-making. Here, the principles of faith, hope, and love are introduced as the moral foundations that guide believers in their daily lives. As you progress through the book, Chapter 2 unveils the profound influence of Scripture and tradition in shaping ethical behavior, reminding us of the timeless wisdom contained within these sacred texts. Moving forward, Chapter 3 explores the concept of virtue in the Christian life, offering insights on how to integrate these virtues into your daily routine for a life of meaningful action. The subsequent chapters address the practicalities of discerning God's will (Chapter 4), sanctifying human life (Chapter 5), upholding the sanctity of marriage and family (Chapter 6), and navigating the ethical implications of work, wealth, and technology (Chapters 7 and 8). Chapters 9 and 10 provide a thoughtful examination of social justice, tolerance, and the role of Christians in advocating for a just society that values every individual. In its concluding chapters, this book tackles the crucial topics of forgiveness, reconciliation (Chapter 11), and the challenges posed by globalization (Chapter 12), encouraging readers to seek solutions that reflect the love and justice of Christ. With each page, "Christian Ethics: Embodying Christian Values in Daily Decisions" invites you to reflect, challenge your perceptions, and inspire change within yourself and your community. Embrace this opportunity to grow in virtue and deepen your ethical understanding, allowing Christian principles to inform and guide your daily choices. Whether you are seeking to deepen your faith or searching for ethical guidance in a complex world, this book offers the wisdom and practical tools needed to live a life of profound moral integrity. Allow it to transform your approach to life's decisions and lead you on a path of righteousness and peace.

Tragic Dilemmas in Christian Ethics develops a new theological understanding of tragic dilemmas rooted in moral philosophy, contemporary case studies, and psychological literature on moral injury. Both academically rigorous and deeply pastoral, Jackson-Meyer offers practical strategies to Christian communities for dealing with tragic dilemmas.

Leading scholars from the fields of biblical studies and ethics provide a one-stop reference book on the vital relationship between Scripture and ethics.