Kurs

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the New Testament

Many psychologists and sociologists would say that both reconciliation and forgiveness are absolutely necessary for meaningful long-term interaction in any group and any culture. In the Ancient world, however, forgiveness was often considered vicious rather than virtuous among Greeks and Romans. The goal of this course is to understand how Jesus and his earliest followers understood forgiveness, mercy and reconciliation. How did they consider their relation to God in these terms? How did they practice forgiveness in the group and toward others? How can we understand forgiveness in the New Testament in the light of modern research on forgiveness and in the light of Ancient views on forgiveness? What are the theological and ethical implications of the use of forgiveness and reconciliation in the New Testament?

Efter kursen förväntas studenten:

• critically discuss how the New Testament concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation may be seen as influenced by and reacting against similar discourses in the Ancient Mediterranean world
• independently analyze the theology of forgiveness and reconciliation in New Testament texts
• discuss the group dynamic and ethical implications of the New Testament’s discourse on forgiveness and reconciliation, using analytical tools from contemporary research on forgiveness and reconciliation