Divine forgiveness: Phase 1

Although considerable scientific progress has been made in understanding forgiveness, relatively little attention has been paid to divine forgiveness or forgiveness by God. Some published studies can be found that include a question that asks about forgiveness by God. However, this is typically not the focus of the study resulting in scattered findings rather than a systematic and intentional literature. This is unfortunate because the experience of divine forgiveness likely influences earthly forgiveness, both of other people and of the self. The current planning grant will make possible a systematic conceptual analysis of divine forgiveness that will culminate in identifying central questions that need to be addressed to develop a systematic understanding of the role of divine forgiveness in human functioning; it can therefore serve as a template to inform future research on the topic. Work in Phase 1 will include organizing and holding a strategic planning meeting of an advisory team that will facilitate the preparation of a comprehensive review of rich and varied writings on divine forgiveness across disciplines that will be part of a conceptual analysis of divine forgiveness (white paper) submitted for publication, developing RFP materials for Phase 2 that will fund empirical and non-empirical projects on the nature of divine forgiveness and how it affects behavior, and preparing resources for a sound, psychometric assessment of divine forgiveness to be conducted in Phase 2. The overall goal of both phases, taken together, is to support, catalyze, and disseminate innovative ideas in the study of divine forgiveness and in so doing, address a significant omission in the existing science of forgiveness which has thus far largely focused on interpersonal forgiveness, and to a lesser extent, self-forgiveness.