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Forgiveness and Reconciliation: A New Testament Perspective

Forgiveness and Reconciliation: A New Testament Perspective

Poling J. SUN

It is not an understatement to claim that forgiveness and reconciliation form the centrality of the New Testament message. God's forgiveness of human sin in the work of Jesus Christ has reconciled the whole creation to God and has thereby broken all forms of estrangement, hatred, and domination. The praxis of forgiveness and reconciliation does not prevail automatically, however. Without repentance of the sinner, there could hardly be enduring reconciliation even when/if forgiveness is genuinely offered by the one who is sinned against. Similarly, unless truth be revealed and encountered, reconciliation would not lead to redemption of human relation and societal improvement. With selected passages from the New Testament as bases and contemporary cases as references and examples, this essay suggests that forgiveness and reconciliation demand repentance from wrong doings and truth telling.

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Message from the Editor of Issue 48

Editor's Note: Wu Guojie Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of people infected worldwide has exceeded 250 million, and the number of deaths has exceeded 5 million. This number does not include poor third-world countries with weak testing capabilities and inability to determine the cause of death. Due to the epidemic, the lives, economy, and travel of people around the world have been affected to varying degrees; for example, people have to wear masks when going out, maintain social distance, the number of gatherings is limited, quarantine is required when entering the country, travel has been greatly reduced, related industries have laid off employees, and unemployment has Rates thus increase and so on. In this environment, church gatherings have also been affected to a considerable extent. During the period when the epidemic was severe and gatherings were restricted, physical church gatherings were suspended, and online live broadcasts and video conversations became necessary alternative modes; even if the epidemic eased and physical gatherings reopened, online Synchronization has also become the new normal. In the face of this disaster, which is called the "pandemic of the century," what resources does the Christian faith have that can help the church respond and turn the crisis into an opportunity? This issue of "Sandow Journal" takes "Epidemics and Disasters" as the theme, and brings together different scholars to discuss it from the perspectives of the two Testaments, doctrinal theology, and practical theology, hoping to enlighten modern Christians on how to deal with the challenges of this era. ...