Righteousness

“Forgiveness” is one of the terms used in systematic theology to describe God’s salvific action toward humanity. More specifically, the term “forgiveness” refers to God’s dealings with humanity as sinners, that is, with their sinfulness and sin(s). Accordingly, in systematic theology, divine forgiveness refers to the forgiveness of sin(s). A possible connection between divine forgiveness and interpersonal forgiveness is partly accepted and partly criticized in Protestant theology.

This article examines the ways in which revenge and retribution have been systematically analyzed and evaluated from a theological perspective, both historically and in the present day. It presents several key arguments and positions on this topic along two main lines of inquiry. This article concludes with insights for a theological perspective on revenge and retribution today.