On Building and Breaking Barriers: Forgiveness, Salvation, and Christian Counseling With Special Reference to Matthew 18:15-35
Wisdom Forgiveness Matthew 18 Special Issues
Journal of Psychology & Christianity, Vol. 25(2), Sum 2006, pp. 137-154
Is forgiveness a necessity or a nicety for the Christian? A close examination of Matthew 18:15-35 reveals that this question is a vital one for everyone concerned with the psychotherapeutic and counseling fields. The article argues that the central idea of this passage, contained in verses 21-22, is best interpreted in light of the sections immediately preceding (verses 15-20) and immediately following (verses 23-35). These two sections give us implied qualifiers for verses 21-22 that disciples of Jesus would have understood but that we often miss. This article concludes with the reminder that the extension of forgiveness is essentially related to the well-being of the believer in this life and the next.