The most famous recent example of forgiving somebody is probably Erica Kirk the late wife of Charlie, who was tragically assassinated by a horrible misguided young person in Utah. And yet as far as we know this young person is not repentant, has not even actually accepted responsibility for it, and maybe is going to try to dodge responsibility by pleading not guilty and seeing if he can get away with it. So he has not accepted responsibility, has not pled guilty, and as far as we know shows no remorse.
Nonetheless Erica, at the funeral memorial service at the large stadium in Arizona in probably the most publicized excerpt by the media said she
" forgives this young man ".
Was this the right thing to do? What would Jesus do? There are Biblical arguments for conditional forgiveness as well as for unconditional forgiveness. Read below and you can make your own decision , decide for yourself. God bless you 🙏 ✝️
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Yes — there is a biblical argument made by some theologians against unconditional forgiveness, especially when the offender does not repent or want forgiveness. This view is less common in modern preaching, but it is absolutely present in Christian theology, especially in Reformed and older Protestant traditions.
Below is the strongest biblical argument against forgiving the unrepentant, presented the way serious theologians frame it.
The Repentance-Required View (Theological Argument Against Forgiving the Unrepentant)
1. God Himself does not forgive the unrepentant
This is the core of the argument.
The Bible repeatedly says God requires repentance before forgiveness:
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." — Luke 17:3
"Repent… so that your sins may be wiped out." — Acts 3:19
"Unless you repent, you will all perish." — Luke 13:3
The logic is:
> If God does not forgive without repentance, and we are commanded to imitate God's character,
then Christians should not forgive without repentance either.
This is the central theological point.
2. Jesus says if they repent, forgive — implying a condition
Luke 17:3–4 is the strongest text:
> "If he repents, forgive him."
Many theologians argue:
Jesus could have said, "Forgive him no matter what,"
but instead He built repentance into the requirement.
This creates a clear conditional structure that some scholars say cannot be ignored.
3. Forgiveness in Scripture is often tied to reconciliation — which requires repentance
Forgiveness in the Bible is not always an internal emotional release; sometimes it is a restoration of relationship, which cannot happen without repentance.
Amos 3:3 — "Can two walk together unless they be agreed?"
Matthew 18 (the church discipline chapter) requires confrontation and repentance before restoration.
The argument:
Biblical forgiveness is relational, and relationships require repentance from wrongdoing.
4. Unconditional forgiveness can undermine justice
Some theologians argue that forgiving unrepentant people:
Minimizes sin
Short-circuits the need for repentance
Sends a false message that God overlooks sin without change
Verses supporting that God cares deeply about justice:
Proverbs 17:15 — "He who justifies the wicked… is an abomination."
Romans 2:5 — the unrepentant store up wrath for themselves
Thus, they argue that premature forgiveness might actually oppose God's justice.
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5. Jesus' example on the cross does not equal forgiveness
Many theologians argue:
> Jesus asked the Father to forgive His killers,
but that is not the same as actually granting forgiveness.
They argue:
Jesus did not pronounce forgiveness
The soldiers did not receive forgiveness unless they later repented
Jesus' prayer expresses God's compassionate heart, not automatic absolution
This is a major counterargument in scholarly circles.
6. Paul never tells believers to forgive unrepentant people
Paul consistently ties forgiveness to restoration after discipline and repentance:
2 Corinthians 2:6–8 — forgiveness is extended after the offender repents.
1 Corinthians 5 — do not restore or reconcile with the unrepentant.
The argument:
Paul's model includes boundaries and discipline, not unconditional forgiveness.
7. Practical theological concern: forgiveness without repentance enables sin
Classic Reformed theologians (including some Puritan writers) argue:
> Forgiving someone who does not repent encourages them to remain in rebellion.
Thus:
Sin must be confronted
Repentance must be required
Only then does forgiveness reflect God's own pattern
Summary of the Repentance-Required Argument
From this viewpoint:
Forgiveness should follow the pattern of God's forgiveness
That pattern includes repentance
Unrepentant sinners are not forgiven by God, so Christians should not pronounce forgiveness prematurely
You can still release bitterness, but true forgiveness (restoration, pardon) is withheld until repentance
So yes — there is a real biblical case against forgiving people who don't want forgiveness.
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"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD" — Isaiah 1:18
Here is the best Christian argument for unconditional forgiveness, the strongest side of the debate, grounded in Scripture, early church tradition, and the teachings of Jesus.
This is the view taught by many pastors, church fathers, and modern Christian teachers.
THE ARGUMENT FOR UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS
(Forgiving even if they don't repent, don't care, don't ask, or don't want it.)
1. Jesus forgave people who never repented
This is the centerpiece of the unconditional-forgiveness view.
Jesus on the cross said:
> "Father, forgive them…" (Luke 23:34)
The Roman soldiers:
Did not repent
Did not ask
Did not care
Did not even understand what they were doing
Yet Jesus extended a prayer of forgiveness toward them while they were committing the crime.
This shows forgiveness is an act of grace, not a transaction.
2. Jesus commands forgiveness with no conditions attached
In the Sermon on the Mount:
"Forgive us… as we forgive others"
(Matthew 6:12)
Jesus does not qualify this with:
"If they apologize"
"If they feel remorse"
"If they ask"
Again in Matthew 6:14–15, the command is unconditional.
3. Forgiving others imitates how God forgave us
But here's the key:
We were forgiven before we repented.
Romans 5:8:
> "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
God initiated forgiveness toward us first, before any repentance was possible.
The argument:
If God loved, initiated grace, and offered forgiveness while we were unrepentant, we must extend the same posture.
4. Forgiveness and reconciliation are different
This is extremely important.
Jesus' command to forgive unconditionally does not mean:
restoring the relationship
trusting the person
removing consequences
pretending nothing happened
Forgiveness = you release the debt and bitterness
Reconciliation = requires repentance and change
So Christians forgive unconditionally, but reconcile conditionally.
This allows forgiveness to be unlimited while justice still exists.
5. Forgiveness is part of spiritual health
Refusing to forgive while waiting for someone to "earn" it creates:
bitterness
spiritual bondage
corruption of the heart
anger that takes root
Hebrews 12:15 warns about "the root of bitterness" defiling a person.
Forgiveness is therefore:
an act of obedience
an act of freedom
an act of spiritual protection
And none of these require the other person's cooperation.
6. Proverbs and Jesus' teachings emphasize mercy, not reciprocity
Jesus commands:
"Love your enemies."
(Matthew 5:44)
He does not say "love your repentant enemies."
Showing kindness and grace to unrepentant people reflects the Father's character:
"He causes His sun to rise on the evil & the good."
(Matthew 5:45)
This is the basis for forgiving even those who don't want forgiveness.
7. Early church fathers taught unconditional forgiveness
Such as:
Tertullian
Clement of Alexandria
John Chrysostom
They consistently argued that Christians must forgive:
enemies
persecutors
slanderers
abusers
betrayers
even when these people showed zero repentance.
Because forgiveness is an internal posture of mercy, not approval of their actions.
8. Forgiveness frees you, not the offender
Unforgiveness binds your heart, but forgiveness releases you from the weight of:
revenge
anger
bitterness
resentment
From this view, forgiveness is something you do with God, not with the offender.
SUMMARY: THE UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS POSITION
Forgive even if they:
show no remorse
deny wrongdoing
don't want forgiveness
refuse reconciliation
Because:
Jesus forgave the unrepentant
Jesus commands unconditional forgiveness
We were forgiven before repenting
Forgiveness protects our hearts
Forgiveness ≠ reconciliation
Early church taught the same
"Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth" — Psalm 86:11
Here is the clear, balanced, side-by-side comparison of the two major Christian positions on forgiveness:
CONDITIONAL VS UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS
A biblical & theological comparison
1. BASIC DEFINITIONS
Conditional Forgiveness (Repentance Required)
You forgive after the offender repents.
Forgiveness means reconciliation + restored relationship.
Unconditional Forgiveness (No Repentance Required)
You forgive regardless of repentance.
Forgiveness means releasing bitterness and giving justice to God.
2. CORE BIBLE VERSES TO SUPPORT EACH VIEW
Conditional View (Repentance required)
Luke 17:3 — "If he repents, forgive him."
Matthew 18:15–17 — Restoration after confrontation and repentance.
Acts 3:19 — "Repent… so sins may be wiped out."
2 Corinthians 2:6–8 — Forgiveness given after a sinner repents.
Unconditional View (No repentance required)
Luke 23:34 — Jesus forgave unrepentant executioners.
Matthew 6:14–15 — Forgive with no conditions.
Matthew 5:44 — Love your enemies (unrepentant enemies).
Ephesians 4:31–32 — Forgive as God forgave us (initiated before we repented).
3. HOW EACH VIEW DEFINES FORGIVENESS
Conditional
Forgiveness = release + reconciliation
Requires repentance
You don't forgive someone who refuses to admit wrongdoing
Withholding forgiveness pressures the offender toward repentance
Unconditional
Forgiveness = releasing anger, not necessarily reconciling
Does NOT remove boundaries
You forgive to obey Jesus & free your heart
Reconciliation still requires repentance
4. EXAMPLES FROM JESUS' LIFE
Conditional View Interpretation
Jesus forgave after repentance (e.g., Peter after denying Him)
The Luke 23:34 prayer wasn't forgiveness itself—just a request
Unconditional View Interpretation
Jesus forgave violent, unrepentant men on the cross
Jesus taught forgiveness as a posture, not a negotiation
5. PURPOSE OF FORGIVENESS
Conditional
Protects justice
Prevents cheap grace
Avoids pretending sin doesn't matter
Encourages repentance
Unconditional
Breaks bitterness
Sets the believer free
Reflects Jesus' mercy
Honors God's heart toward enemies
6. WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE EACH VIEW
Why some Christians choose conditional forgiveness
They want justice to be upheld
They worry unconditional forgiveness rewards evil
They emphasize passages about church discipline, repentance & accountability
They define forgiveness as restoration, not just emotional release
Why some Christians choose unconditional forgiveness
They see Jesus' example on the cross as the model
They do not want to stay in bitterness
They emphasize love of enemies & mercy
They separate forgiveness from reconciliation
7. WHAT BOTH SIDES AGREE ON
This is extremely important.
✔ Bitterness is sin
✔ Reconciliation requires repentance
✔ Boundaries can be necessary
✔ You must let go of revenge
✔ Justice belongs to God
✔ Forgiveness is commanded by Jesus in some form
The disagreement is only about:
Do we offer forgiveness before repentance, or after?
8. WHICH VIEW IS "MORE BIBlical"?
Both views have biblical support.
Both have serious theologians behind them.
But here's how the majority breaks down:
Most modern pastors & evangelical teachers lean:
➡️ Unconditional forgiveness (because of Jesus on the cross)
Most Reformed, conservative, or Puritan theologians lean:
➡️ Conditional forgiveness (because of Luke 17:3)
Most early church fathers leaned:
➡️ Unconditional forgiveness
So the split is real and longstanding.
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9. THE PRACTICAL REALITY: BOTH CAN BE TRUE
Many Christians resolve the tension this way:
Forgive unconditionally in your heart
to release bitterness
AND
Reconcile only if they repent
to restore the relationship.
This combines the strengths of both positions.
