13-pages (3575 Words)
INSTRUCTIONS
The goal of a research paper is not merely to report about your readings or to list quotations (or paraphrases) related to your topic.
Instead, a research paper must be a creative theological reflection on a relevant issue that recognizes the established scholars who helped you in that endeavor. Research papers must attempt to prove a point (thesis).
They are not “surveys” of material. They must be thoroughly documented, and this assignment must not include your opinion until the conclusion.
This paper must be 3,600–4,500 words, excluding the cover page, table of contents, and bibliography, contain at least 20 sources (excluding the Bible and course textbooks), and 8 of the 20 sources must be written within the last 10 years.
The Research Paper must be completed in current Turabian format.
The subject of forgiveness is prominently featured in biblical revelation. The concept of forgiveness is strongly embedded in Christian theology, whereby it has widely been spread by churches across the world. Forgiveness is given strong attention in Christianity because of its connection to the precepts of the Christian worldview of living a Godly life. Gibson notes that there are over 100 references in the bible that speaks of forgiveness. In the bible, the teaching on forgiveness explains God as the only that can provide ultimate forgiveness. However, the concept of forgiveness has changed from the traditional church to the modern church. In modern society, forgiveness is presented differently across the different churches. In the Catholic church, forgiveness starts with providing confession to the priest, while in the protestant churches believers are viewed to have a direct path of seeking forgiveness from God. This paper seeks to understand the concept of forgiveness as the center of the spirituality and anthropology of the New Testament (NT), and the approaches embraced in the modern church.
Believers are encouraged to repent their sins because they can be forgiven. However, believers must remain steadfast in their walk with Christ by emulating his teachings. Although sin started in the Garden of Eden, God has the power to forgive sins and reward believers with eternal life. Forgiveness is having all the sins and equities washed away through the love and blood of Jesus. Once forgiven, a believer is no longer guilty of their wrongdoing because the bible says in Hebrews 8:12 that once forgiven, God does not remember the sins anymore. However, believers are advised to avoid sinning intentionally because is like crucifying Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 6:4-6). Although God forgives unconditionally, he requires believers to lead a Godly life and adhere to the teachings of Christ.
The New Testament provides a strong understanding of the concept of forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Christ. However, the New Testament cannot be viewed in isolation given that the coming of Christ was foretold by different prophets in the Old Testament. Forgiveness is a divine process that encapsulates the aspect of personal healing. In the book of Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah prophesied about the coming of a new covenant that would be written in the hearts of believers rather than engage in the use of a sacrificial lamb. He argued that the house of Israel and the house of Judah will enter into a new covenant with God, whereby it will be written by blood. Unlike the old covenant signed between God and the forefathers of Israel, the new covenant was based on the heart and was written by blood. The coming and the death of Jesus was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah............................
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