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Forgiveness Models

The document discusses several models of forgiveness that have been proposed by researchers. It summarizes models from Everett Worthington, David Ausberger, Charles Stanley, T. Hargrave & J. Sells, D. Donnelly, JP Pingleton, Shana Aborn, and Nancy Pina. The models involve steps like acknowledging hurt, empathizing with the offender, recognizing God's forgiveness, and extending forgiveness to the other person. A diagram combines the key elements of the models into a process involving empathizing with the offender, recognizing God's forgiveness, extending forgiveness, and maintaining forgiveness over time. Forgiveness is described as a process based on God's forgiveness of us,

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Jimmy Chondol
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255 views

Forgiveness Models

The document discusses several models of forgiveness that have been proposed by researchers. It summarizes models from Everett Worthington, David Ausberger, Charles Stanley, T. Hargrave & J. Sells, D. Donnelly, JP Pingleton, Shana Aborn, and Nancy Pina. The models involve steps like acknowledging hurt, empathizing with the offender, recognizing God's forgiveness, and extending forgiveness to the other person. A diagram combines the key elements of the models into a process involving empathizing with the offender, recognizing God's forgiveness, extending forgiveness, and maintaining forgiveness over time. Forgiveness is described as a process based on God's forgiveness of us,

Uploaded by

Jimmy Chondol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Forgiveness Models

Forgiveness has become a topic of interest to many; even in the secular counseling world. Everett Worthington
and Robert Enright are two researchers who have done much work in this area. Dr. Worthington is a Christian
and speaker at the American Association for Christian Counselors. Several models of forgiveness are summa-
rized below and the diagram at the bottom of this page summarizes the models into one graphic depicting how
a person can extend forgiveness to another. This information comes from Worthington, Aborn and Pina arti-
cles as well as from Donald Walker and Richard Gorsuchs article; Dimensions Underlying Sixteen Models of
Forgiveness and Reconciliation; Journal of Psychology and Theology, 2004

Everett Worthington David Ausberger Charles Stanley


Recall the hurt Restore the attitude of love Recognize Gods forgiveness
Empathize Release the painful past Release the person from debt
Altruistic gift of forgiveness Reconstruct the relationship Accept offender as they are
Commit to the forgiveness Reopen the future View the offender as a tool to
Hold on to forgiveness Reaffirm the relationship aid better understanding God
Make reconciliation with
offender

T. Hargrave & J. Sells D. Donnelly JP Pingleton


Insight Acknowledge the hurt Receive forgiveness from God
Understanding Decide to forgive Forgive oneself
Giving opportunity for Remember forgiveness isnt Forgive the other person
compensation Easy
Overt act of forgiving Forgive self
Consider the consequences
of not forgiving

Shana Aborn Nancy Pina


Dont wait for an apology Acknowledge the true depth of pain
Empathize with your offender Give yourself permission to grieve over the loss.
Think about the relief you felt when you were forgiven Examine your perceptions about the world
by someone you loved Empathize
Perform a symbolic act Challenge your beliefs about forgiveness
Remember that forgiving is not forgetting
Include yourself on the forgiveness list

Empathize Recognize Extend Maintain


Acknowledge
with Offender Gods Forgiveness Forgiveness
Hurt & Anger
Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a process, not some ritual one does and then everything is done. Forgiveness must come from
the heart and does not necessarily directly involved the person causing the injury and it is based on Gods for-
giveness of us, not on whether or not we feel like forgiving. No one model fits a person or a situation perfectly,
but as we learn about what it takes to forgive, we can become more effective in our forgiveness of those who
have hurt us.
Information gathered and provided by Fortified Marriages Ministry www.fortifiedmarriages.com

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