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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
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    If God cannot suffer, then forgiveness cannot consist in ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Divine forgiveness consists in God rejoicing in our repentance — that is, God ceases to suffer on our account when we repent.

    If God cannot suffer, then forgiveness cannot consist in the cessation of divine suffering, and a different account of divine forgiveness is required.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Classical divine impassibility entails God cannot experience suffering, pain, or emotional states that change in response to events.
      ?

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    • 2.If forgiveness requires the cessation of anger or suffering in the forgiver, then an impassible God cannot forgive in this way.
      ?

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    • 3.Therefore, divine forgiveness must be reconceived as something other than the cessation of divine suffering or wrath.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.The claim conflates forgiveness-as-emotional-release with forgiveness-as-relational-restoration, which are distinct concepts.
      ?

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    • 2.God could forgive by voluntarily choosing to restore relationship without requiring prior suffering, making impassibility compatible with forgiveness.
      ?

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    • 3.Even classical theologians argue divine justice and mercy can be exercised without emotional states, undermining the claim's central assumption.
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    Forgiveness & Mercy1 linked

    Related

    Classical divine impassibility entails God cannot experience suffering, pain, or...Divine forgiveness consists in God rejoicing in our repentance — that is, God ce...Even classical theologians argue divine justice and mercy can be exercised witho...God could forgive by voluntarily choosing to restore relationship without requir...
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    If forgiveness requires the cessation of anger or suffering in the forgiver, the...The claim conflates forgiveness-as-emotional-release with forgiveness-as-relatio...Therefore, divine forgiveness must be reconceived as something other than the ce...

    Details

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit