The Nature of Divine Forgiveness
“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
What is divine forgiveness?
Most people are familiar with Pope’s observation, and have little problem accepting it, including the nonbeliever (Minas, 1975). A link is also drawn between divine and interpersonal forgiveness in the Christian religious tradition (cf. the fourth petition in the Lord’s prayer, also Matthew 6:14–15).
It is tempting to extend the ideas and findings of research on interpersonal forgiveness to the study of divine forgiveness. Some parallels may exist, but it is important to recognize that divine forgiveness and earthly forgiveness are not mirror images of each other. Human forgiveness and divine forgiveness are not the same. Among other things, divine forgiveness has implications for both one’s temporal and eternal life. Thus, consideration of eschatological beliefs might be especially important for understanding divine forgiveness fully. Second, forgiveness by a deity is widely viewed as perfect. At a minimum, this suggests that forgiveness nullifies the wrongdoing (something that does not occur in earthly forgiveness) though not its consequences, thereby creating the potential for real change in the person forgiven (in earthly forgiveness change occurs primarily in the forgiver). It also entails the complete removal of negativity (unforgiveness) toward the wrongdoer (something that is difficult for humans to attain where even those who claim they have forgiven completely still exhibit some level of unforgiveness, see Wade & Worthington, 2003). Finally, divine forgiveness restores the wrongdoer’s relationship with God in that the act of divine forgiveness necessarily involves reconciliation (earthly forgiveness is distinguished from reconciliation).
In suggesting these unique features of divine forgiveness no claim is made about the ontological status of God’s forgiveness. This is not the business of science. Instead, our subject matter is the individual’s perception and experience of divine forgiveness, albeit one that may vary as a function of how the divine is viewed. That some humans seek—and some believe themselves to receive—forgiveness from supernatural entities is intriguing and it is time to document the psychological processes involved.
Fincham (2020) has recently offered a preliminary, working definition of divine forgiveness and in doing so recognized that its contribution may result more from its heuristic value in stimulating debate than in anything substantive. It was stated that divine forgiveness is, “perceived absolution for a transgression or sin from a Supreme Being or Higher Power that is manifest in the individual’s cognition, affect, and/or behavior. Divine forgiveness can occur in relation to one’s sinful nature or in relation to individual transgressions/sins, though the topography of its manifestation may differ in each case (e.g., reduced shame may dominate the former and reduced guilt the latter). Although cognitive, affective, and behavioral manifestations of divine forgiveness can be pervasive in the individual’s life, they are especially likely to be evident in his or her relationship with the Supreme Being or Higher Power (e.g., increased gratitude, reconciliation).”