Bible Dictionary
ABSOLUTION
Absolution is an ecclesiastical term for declaring or applying God’s forgiveness of sins. Christian traditions differ on whether this act is only declarative or also conveys the promised grace.
Definition
Absolution is an ecclesiastical term for the official declaration or application of forgiveness. It is associated with the biblical language of loosing and forgiving sins, although Christian traditions differ over its precise ecclesiastical force.
Biblical Usage
The term is connected with Christ’s sayings about loosing and with the statement that the sins of those forgiven are forgiven. It individualizes and personally applies the gospel’s general promise.
Historical Background
The Roman church regards absolution as an act of an ordained priest in penance. Protestants relate the promise to the congregation of believers exercised through Christian ministry and differ over whether the act is declarative or also conveys grace.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ab-so-lu'-shun (translation of verbs luo, "loose," etc., and aphiemi, "release," "give up," etc.): Not a Biblical, but an ecclesiastical term, used to designate the official act described in Mt 16:19: "Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven," and Mt 18:18: "What things soever ye shall loose," etc., and interpreted by Joh 20:23: "Whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them" (see KEYS, POWER OF THE). The Roman church regards this as the act of a properly ordained priest, by which, in the sacrament of Penance, he frees from sin one who has confessed and made promise of satisfaction. Protestants regard the promise as given not to any order within the church, but to the congregation of believers, exercising its prerogative through the Christian ministry, as its ordinary executive. They differ as to whether the act be only declarative or collative. Luther regarded it as both declarative and collative, since the Word always brings that which it offers. The absolution differs from the general promise of the gospel by individualizing the promise. What the gospel, as read and preached, declares in general, the absolution applies personally. See also FORGIVENESS.</p><p>H. E. Jacobs</p>