“Forgiveness” is not a word plucked out of the air and given any meaning people want to give it.  The word has a long history in our Judeo-Christian tradition and as we look at how the word is used in the Old and New Testaments we can determine the whole range of concepts that are associated with the word.

In future articles I will be looking at some of the words in the Bible translated as “forgive” or “forgiveness” and some similar words. This will help us appreciate what a tremendous depth of meaning there is in the concept of forgiveness.

We will see forgiveness in action in some of the stories in both the Old and the New Testaments,  as well as in modern day examples. We will also see how forgiveness (when it is understood and acted on) leads to liberty and freedom in today’s world, to those who never thought such freedom was possible for them.

(Just a reminder to those new to blogs, like me,  that blogs are posted on top of one another so that the most recent blog is at the top of the pile.  It may help to read previous blogs to get an overall picture of the topic being discussed.)

Jim Holbeck.   Blog No.4.  Posted on Friday 11February 2011