Repentance and Journal Article Review
Journal Article Review 2
SELF-FORGIVENESS: THE STEPCHILD OF FORGIVENESS RESEARCH
COUN 504
Hozie Grasty
10/18/2008
Journal Article Review 2 In the second article I chose to read, Hall and Fincham (2005) discuss the concept of self-forgiveness. Their analysis seeks to get to the heart of what it means and essentially what it takes to forgive oneself for wrongdoing and reckless abandon. Enright (1996) defines self-forgiveness as “a willingness to abandon self-resentment in the face of one’s own acknowledged objective wrong, while fostering compassion, generosity, and love toward oneself.” Hall and Fincham (2005) argue that self-forgiveness is an internal and volatile aberration that results in both a retaliatory and benevolent appeal on behalf of the offender. The reason for this is because the offender is in conflict with their ability to do wrong and then compensate with righteous action in rebuttal to their transgression. After the stage of victim identification and reconciliation, avoidance occurs which puts the offender and any sense or notion of wrongdoing they may have had, at peace with themselves (Hall & Fincham, 2005). Furthermore, Hall and Fincham (2005) deduce that self-forgiveness does not imply an exemption from heartache, frustration, or regret. The offender will not magically fail to remember or begin to root for such behavior that should lead to another bout with personal disdain and disappointment. In fact, the offender will undergo extensive self-analysis and even consider the implications of interpersonal forgiveness from oneself toward another had they committed a similar offense. Lastly, Hall and Fincham (2005) give attention to the moral aspects of the self-forgiveness concept. According to Horsbrugh (1974) interpersonal forgiveness is bound by biblical scripture which Jesus himself states that “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins”
SELF-FORGIVENESS: THE STEPCHILD OF FORGIVENESS RESEARCH
COUN 504
Hozie Grasty
10/18/2008
Journal Article Review 2 In the second article I chose to read, Hall and Fincham (2005) discuss the concept of self-forgiveness. Their analysis seeks to get to the heart of what it means and essentially what it takes to forgive oneself for wrongdoing and reckless abandon. Enright (1996) defines self-forgiveness as “a willingness to abandon self-resentment in the face of one’s own acknowledged objective wrong, while fostering compassion, generosity, and love toward oneself.” Hall and Fincham (2005) argue that self-forgiveness is an internal and volatile aberration that results in both a retaliatory and benevolent appeal on behalf of the offender. The reason for this is because the offender is in conflict with their ability to do wrong and then compensate with righteous action in rebuttal to their transgression. After the stage of victim identification and reconciliation, avoidance occurs which puts the offender and any sense or notion of wrongdoing they may have had, at peace with themselves (Hall & Fincham, 2005). Furthermore, Hall and Fincham (2005) deduce that self-forgiveness does not imply an exemption from heartache, frustration, or regret. The offender will not magically fail to remember or begin to root for such behavior that should lead to another bout with personal disdain and disappointment. In fact, the offender will undergo extensive self-analysis and even consider the implications of interpersonal forgiveness from oneself toward another had they committed a similar offense. Lastly, Hall and Fincham (2005) give attention to the moral aspects of the self-forgiveness concept. According to Horsbrugh (1974) interpersonal forgiveness is bound by biblical scripture which Jesus himself states that “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins”
References: Hall, J. H., Fincham, F. D. (2005). Self-Forgiveness: The Stepchild of Forgiveness Research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24(5), 621-637. Horsbrugh, H. J. (1974). Forgiveness. Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 4(2), 269-282.