This contribution explores the question of forgiveness starting with the difficulty to forgive. It shows the impertinence of the connection between human and divine forgiveness, formulated exemplarily in the Lord's Prayer. Discussing the ecumenical theological concepts, the article traces three basic constellations: (a) In his forgiveness, God makes himself dependent on the willingness of the victims to forgive and commits himself to it. (b) God forgives humans without their cooperation, by mercy alone. From the perspective of justification, any human cooperation in God's saving action is to be questioned. (c) It is God who is the addressee of the supplication for forgiveness both between God and humans and among humans. Thus a space is provided for the limits of human forgiveness that accounts for both God's mercy and his justice.

Enthalten in:
Evangelische Theologie; 2016/2 Zweimonatsschrift (2016)

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Serie / Reihe: Evangelische Theologie

Personen: Springhart, Heike

Schlagwörter: Schuld Vergebung Gerechtigkeit Rechtfertigung