Confession and Absolution in the Reformed Tradition
In the Reformed Christian tradition, confession (admitting your sins) and absolution (being declared forgiven) offer a way to deal with guilt. Michael S. Horton's article, " Comfort Ye My People " explains that early Reformers saw these practices as ways for ministers to help people, not to exercise power. Unlike the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, which often made forgiveness conditional, the Reformers viewed confession and absolution as simply sharing the good news of God's forgiveness. This approach has helped people avoid the deep uncertainty that medieval practices caused, and it also differs from the often confusing personal feelings common in some modern churches. John Calvin, a key figure in the Reformation, strongly disagreed with the medieval idea of penance, which he felt burdened people with anxiety. He taught that forgiveness comes from God's mercy, not from anything people do to make up for their sins. For Calvin, confessing sins wasn't about...