Bob Cornwall/Faith in the Public Square

In a perfect world there would be no need for forgiveness. Reality, however, demands it, at least if we're going to live in peace with each other. People have dreamed utopian dreams of a world that's egalitarian, harmonious, and peaceful. While this is an attractive dream, especially at a time when conflict rages around us, history isn't optimistic about its chances.

There was a time when the boundless possibilities of the American frontier inspired such dreamers, but most of these ventures were small in scope and short in duration. The idea is good, but in practice it doesn't seem to work out as planned, and those who dream big utopian dreams, like Mao and Pol Pot, usually fall prey to totalitarianism.

If utopianism is merely a dream with nightmarish consequences, what are the alternatives? One “realistic” alternative with a long historical pedigree is the principle of an “eye for an eye.” If you hurt me or my family, I'll hurt you and your family. Attack my country, we'll attack yours. Such tit-for-tat solutions only lead to ongoing cycles of violence and destruction.

There is a third way. It might not seem realistic, but it's the only alternative that offers the hope of reconciliation and peace in a less than perfect world. This is the path of forgiveness, a path that recognizes the humanity's imperfections but also offers the hope of a new beginning. In a zero tolerance age, forgiveness isn't always a popular notion, but when you consider the alternatives, is there any other way to go?

It's important to remember that forgiveness has a partner called justice. Justice is important, because it reminds us of the need for accountability and responsibility. Unfortunately, it's not easy to hold justice and forgiveness together, but a lasting solution to the world's problems requires that they be kept together.

Forgiveness seems to be a message found in most religions, and Jesus told his disciple Peter that we should forgive an offender not just seven times, but 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:21-22). In other words, forgive until you can't keep track of the offenses. As hard as it is to hear such a word, is there any other way to get beyond the endless cycles of blame, hatred, and violence? To forgive doesn't mean that offenders aren't held accountable for their actions, but forgiveness does offer the hope of a new beginning and it sets aside the need to get revenge.

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Consider for a moment the immigration debate. Critics of the now dormant and admittedly less than perfect Senate immigration bill charged its sponsors with offering “blanket amnesty” to illegals. But as I read it, it tries to balance accountability with forgiveness. It seeks to reduce incentives for immigration while recognizing the facts on the ground. You can criminalize immigrants, or you can find a way for them to become citizens. To me, that sounds just and forgiving, which is really a humane solution.

Forgiveness isn't easy, because it forces us to face the truth about ourselves and about our neighbors. Consider the efforts taken in South Africa to bring black and white together to build an integrated and peaceful society. The results aren't perfect, but the principle behind this effort brings together truth-telling and forgiveness. Compare for a moment South Africa and Zimbabwe. One nation has experienced unimagined stability, while the other remains in chaos. South Africa took the path of forgiveness, Zimbabwe didn't.

Fred Craddock, a preacher from my denomination, wrote that “there can be no forgiveness without standards and values being violated, without persons and relationships being hurt, without a loss so deeply felt that efforts at restoration are pursued.'' The willingness to forgive and start again is the key to a peaceful future. That in itself may seem utopian, but the weapons of today make the wars of tomorrow an apocalyptic nightmare. The hope of our world requires that we pursue the path of forgiveness. It's a path that begins with my making the first move; if I wait for you, I may wait forever. If we're going to construct a society that is just and harmonious, a society that isn't polarized and marred by violence, then we must begin by embracing the divine call to forgive one another.

Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He may be contacted at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or at First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.

Aug. 27, 2006