Editing Absolution (section)

{{Short description|Traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced by Penance}}
{{About|the concept in Christian theology}}
[[File:Artgate Fondazione Cariplo - Molteni Giuseppe, La confessione.jpg|thumb|''The Confession'' by [[Giuseppe Molteni]], 1838]]
'''Absolution''' is a theological term for the forgiveness imparted by ordained [[Priest#Christianity|Christian priests]] and experienced by [[Penance#Christianity|Christian penitents]]. It is a universal feature of the historic churches of [[Christendom]], although the theology and the practice of absolution vary between [[Christian denomination]]s.

Some Christian traditions see absolution as a [[sacrament]]—the [[Confession (religion)|Sacrament of Penance]]. This concept is found in the [[Catholic Church]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Oriental Orthodox Churches]], [[Assyrian Church of the East]] and the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]].<ref name="Haffner1999">{{cite book|last=Haffner|first=Paul|title=The Sacramental Mystery|year=1999|publisher=Gracewing Publishing|language=en|isbn=9780852444764|page=11|quote=The [[Augsburg Confession]] drawn up by Melanchton, one of Luther's disciples admitted only three sacraments, Baptism, Communion, and Penance. Melanchton left the way open for the other five sacred signs to be considered as "secondary sacraments". However, Zwingli, Calvin and most of the later Reformed tradition accepted only Baptism and the Lord's Supper as sacraments, but in a highly symbolic sense.}}</ref><ref name="Smith1911">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Preserved|title=The Life and Letters of Martin Luther|url=https://archive.org/details/lifeandlettersm04smitgoog|year=1911|publisher=Houghton Mifflin|page=[https://archive.org/details/lifeandlettersm04smitgoog/page/n123 89]|quote=In the first place I deny that the sacraments are seven in number, and assert that there are only three, baptism, penance, and the Lord's Supper, and that all these three have been bound by the Roman Curia in a miserable captivity and that the Church has been deprived of all her freedom.}}</ref> In other traditions, including the [[Anglican Communion]] and [[Methodism]], absolution is seen as part of the life of the church, with the [[Thirty-nine Articles]] and [[Articles of Religion (Methodist)|Twenty-five Articles]] respectively counting absolution amongst the five [[Rite (Christianity)|rites]] described as "Commonly called Sacraments, but not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel". Confession and Absolution is practiced in the [[Irvingian Church]]es, though it is not a sacrament.

In the [[Calvinism|Reformed]] tradition (which includes the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregationalist denominations), corporate confession is the normative way that this [[Rite (Christianity)|rite]] is practiced. It is understood as having meaning only for those of congregation who are counted amongst the elect. <ref name="GRPC2024">{{cite web |title=Order of Worship |url=https://www.gracereformedpc.org/order-of-worship.html |publisher=Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church |access-date=23 September 2024 |language=en |quote=Each Sunday we have a corporate confession of sins with an announcement of assurance of pardon from sin—this is great news for all believers. We strive to use the form of confession sincerely, to acknowledging our brokenness—in thought, word, and deed—and to receive God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ in thankfulness.}}</ref>