The Treasure of Absolution

In the Lutheran faith of the Reformation, we have the Absolution*. Like nose-blindness by the baker in his kitchen, we don’t always hear it with great joy.  The spoken words of forgiveness are the sweetest sound in the ears of a Christian.

* (This post was inspired by a comment from Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller at his presentation for the Lutheran Writer Round-Up at Faith Lutheran High School of Central Texas on 09 Feb 2024)

“What is confession?” Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is forgiveness, from the pastor as from God himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. (SC 5:1)

For the Romanists (Roman Catholics, Eastern Rite Catholics, Western Rite Orthodox, and the like) absolution exists privately.  The penitent must confess.  Also, there’s an exchange rate.  (Contrition + Penance = a Narrow Absolution) The absolution in this exchange is only available for the specific sins confessed and only if the penance is done correctly.  It’s limited.  It’s not certain.

Evangelicals (Baptists, Reformed, Anabaptists, and the like) flatly reject verbal absolution.  They’ll sometimes pop off, “only God can forgive sin.”   This position doesn’t stand up against scripture as cited at the end of this article.  They do have strong preaching and teaching of forgiveness.  But, there’s no actual delivery.  Worse, there’s a limited forgiveness for the “saved.”  The concept of “backsliding” and the practice of rebaptism flow from that limitation of God’s grace.

Episcopalians & Anglicans, who lean heavily towards Rome, have a thing like the public absolution.  Their assurance of forgiveness is not an actual absolution.  Without verbally forgiving sin, the certainty is taken away.

The Enthusiasts (Pentecostals, Holiness Churches, AME Churches, and the like) look inside themselves for assurance.  Their certainty rests upon feeling forgiven and demonstrating a zeal in the faith.  Without emotional zeal and a feeling of forgiveness, there’s only hopelessness or uncertainty.  With the internal zeal, there’s just pride.

Progressive Christians (including many denominations, but encompassing the whole of the ELCA) live in a psycho-social theology.  Internally, they’ll embrace a notion that I just have to “Forgive myself.”  Externally, they’ll reject the particulars of God’s Law, citing unkindness, racism, or colonialism.  For the progressive there is a new Law with ever changing names (Political Correctness, Progressivism, Critical Theory, Wokeness, or whatever term comes next).  Forgiveness for me but not for thee.  Or, I don’t even need forgiveness.  Like the medieval saintly system, the New Law only accepts penance/atonement by you.  You have to set things right by being an ally and fighting the close-minded Christians.

Naturally, the pagans (Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Polytheists, Spiritualists, and the like) don’t get it either.  They are trying to balance the scales even harder.  Only Christianity features a God who comes to us.  Only in the Lutheran church do we find the absolution spoken for you. Pastor speaks as he is commanded in the stead and by the command of Jesus.  Yes, a man can and does forgive sins.

Pastor doesn’t forgive by his own power, ability, or volition.  He does it in the stead and by the command of God.  He’s following orders given, like a servant does.  “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’” (John 20:22-23)  “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)

Pastors, faithful pastors, Lutheran pastors, forgive the sins of penitent sinners.  It’s an inescapable demand of their office.  God has given us this gift for our certainty, confidence, and comfort.

That’s forgiveness you can hear.

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Sole Pastor
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX

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