Forgive and Forget
Notes
Transcript
Forgive and Forget
Forgive and Forget
Sarah’s question kicked off this series
We looked at the OT last week
We will look at the NT this week
We will look at Church history next week
We will look at the practical nature the following week
I decided to put my model of faith and forgiveness into AI and ask it a question:
Question: Based on everything discussed in this paper, is there a faith tradition that lines up with my theory? If not, which tradition would be closest?
Here was its answer.
Answer: Your theological framework […] doesn’t fully align with any single mainstream Christian tradition. However, some traditions come closer than others in various respects.
The dots in brackets will be filled in at the end…but for now, let me walk you through the model I see in scripture.
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.
What are the problems here?:
The humans are dying.
If they eat, they will be in a state of ‘dying’ forever.
That is not tolerable.
Once you return to dust you life on earth ends.
You are separated from God, the source of everlasting life.
We need a way to get you from death to life.
What could be done so they return in the presence of God; so they don’t walk alone while living on the ground and they are reunited with God after they die?
At this moment in time, right here in Genesis 22, what could be done?
Let’s do a thought experiment:
Think about everything necessary for you to be in the presence of God and say it out loud.
We could build a house for God on the ground in which humans live.
We could sacrifice an animal, but that probably already happened in Gen 3:21.
God could resurrect them from the ground.
God could give them a bunch of rules to follow.
God could send other people to tell them to walk in obedience when they are not.
God could just decide to walk with humans as they die, with no constraints.
But they still die.
God could become super angry and pour out his wrath on them
But they still die.
Leviticus gives us a solution
Do you remember the answer I received from AI?
Answer: Your theological framework—especially your understanding of atonement as purgation rather than penal substitution, and your preference for direct engagement with the Hebrew Bible and Greek New Testament—doesn’t fully align with any single mainstream Christian tradition. However, some traditions come closer than others in various respects.
Here are its suggestions for close traditions:
Closest Faith Traditions:
Eastern Orthodox Christianity – The Orthodox view of atonement emphasizes Christus Victor and theosis rather than Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). Orthodox theology sees Christ’s death and resurrection as purging sin and death rather than satisfying divine wrath. This aligns with your rejection of PSA and your focus on Jesus as cleansing cosmic contamination.
Messianic Judaism – Some Messianic Jewish theologians emphasize the Levitical sacrificial system as a means of purgation and ritual purification rather than substitution. Their close reading of the Torah and Hebrew context could resonate with your approach.
Some strands of Anabaptism (e.g., Mennonites, Brethren in Christ) – Anabaptists have historically resisted penal atonement models and instead emphasize Christ’s sacrificial love, voluntary suffering, and faithfulness. Their nonviolent theology and rejection of retributive justice might also align with your broader vision.
Some forms of Liberal Protestantism (e.g., Mainline Post-Evangelical theology, Open and Relational Theology) – Certain theologians in post-evangelical spaces critique PSA and emphasize an incarnational and restorative view of atonement. While not necessarily rooted in the biblical sacrificial system as you are, their rejection of the idea that God demands a human sacrifice overlaps with your concerns.
Where Your Theology Is Distinct:
Your specific reading of Leviticus and the sacrificial system (especially the Azazel goat as typological for Christ) is not commonly found in any one tradition.
Your deep engagement with trauma theology is unique and cutting-edge.
Your commitment to a high view of scripture without subscribing to inerrancy in a rigid sense puts you outside both fundamentalism and progressive Christianity.
And here is the DISTURBING thing AI said to me…
Your theological framework is a blend—rooted in biblical studies, early church thought, trauma-informed theology, and a rejection of retributive justice models. If anything, your approach might best fit a new theological movement rather than an existing tradition—perhaps something akin to a “Biblical Restorationist Trauma Theology,” where scripture is read through the lens of holistic purification, communal restoration, and justice for the oppressed.
I think AI just suggested that I start a new faith tradition!!!
Yikes!!!
Let me get personal for a moment and tell you what happened.
It started here:
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the Israelites, saying: When anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord’s commandments about things not to be done and does any one of them:
That line right there shattered my flattened understanding of sin:
All sin was not sin
Unintentional
Intentional
That was a game changer for me…
Then I read this…
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Next, I wondered, how does this work in the New Testament with Jesus’ offering of himself.
There are many theories on ‘Atonement’
Penal Substitutionary Atonement
Appealing to Isaiah 53, Romans 3:21-31, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
Interestingly, the term ‘forgive’ never occurs in these passages. But purgation does.
Ransom Theory (Paid for)
Appealing to Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:6.
Take the sin of Azazel to Azazel
Christus Victor
Appealing to Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 John 3:8.
Victory of Satan and Sin
None of those fit, especially PSA.
The ‘Wrath poured out model’ is bunk on its face because the term NEVER occurs in scripture.
And trust me, I heard from my professors, “So you think that you have this all figured out and the church fathers had it all wrong?’
Here is the deal: I am not alone in my thinking.
I am against the grain, and the grain is moldy and needs to be rethought.
We have far more information at our fingertips today that any ancient father could have dreamed of
Moreover…people were under threat of death for disagreeing
And THAT DOES NOT DEFINE CONSENSUS!!!
If I held a gun to your head and said you must agree if you want to live, then you would publically agree.
And those who disagreed…most of what they wrote was burned in the trash pit
The historical theological history of the church is shaped by those in power. PERIOD.
Okay, done with the diatribe!
So, I started to study it, and I ended up in the Book of Hebrews.
its correlation to Leviticus is undeniable.
And then it hit me…
Why are none of these theories described when Jesus is on the cross?
Of all the places it would make the most sense for a biblical author, or God, or the Spirit to tell us what this death means, at the cross would be the BEST place to do it
Yet, there is nothing there.
Where does that leave us?
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Notice: Past tense
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Notice: In Him, is forgiveness, and that is part of the transfer to God’s presence.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Notice: Alive (not dead) past tense forgiveness and in the presence
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Notice: Why are we to forgive? We have been (past tense) forgiven.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Notice: The nearness of forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness.
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
Notice: Past tense. Are forgiven
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
So, pray. And when you ask for forgiveness consider those who need your forgiveness.
If you are going to image God, then you must learn to forgive.
If you want to do that through another person, I, frankly, don’t have an issue with that.
Forgive and Forget
Forgive and Forget
