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Forgiveness of Suicide in the Context of Salvation

Forgiveness of sin is a core component of salvation, involving God's absolution of a sinner from the condemnation of the law and the removal of guilt and liability to eternal wrath, based on the work of Christ [1]. This act of grace frees the sinner from the penalty of their sins [1]. The concept of atonement, meaning "at-one-ment" or reconciliation, describes the effect of Christ's death in bringing about this reconciliation between God and humanity [3, 6].

The Scriptures emphasize that salvation, including the forgiveness of sins, is a gratuitous act of God's grace [7]. Romans 3:24 states that believers are "justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ" [4]. This forgiveness is offered to all through the gospel [1]. God's long-suffering nature is highlighted as a characteristic that should lead to repentance and is exhibited in His willingness to forgive sins [2].

The question of forgiveness for suicide, particularly in the context of salvation, has been a point of theological discussion. Augustine, in City of God, addresses suicide, noting that even if some virgins killed themselves to avoid disgrace, "who that has any human feeling would refuse to forgive them?" [8]. He also discusses the idea of suicide to prevent future sin, arguing that if this were a sound reason, then individuals should destroy themselves immediately after baptism and the forgiveness of all sin [10]. This suggests a recognition of the complexity surrounding the act and the potential for divine mercy.

The broader understanding of forgiveness emphasizes God's willingness to pardon sins. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, points to Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, where God is described as "reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." Calvin equates righteousness and reconciliation, indicating that one includes the other [11]. He also notes that Christ's obedience "purchased and merited grace for us with the Father" [12]. The power of Christ in saving people from sin is not merely due to his teaching but to the manifestation of self-sacrificing love [9].

The biblical narrative provides examples of God's clemency even in severe cases. Calvin references Peter's denial of Christ, noting that despite denying Jesus three times, Peter was not denied pardon [14]. This illustrates that even significant failures do not necessarily preclude forgiveness. The mercy of God and our own need for forgiveness are presented as motives for extending forgiveness to others [5].

The Catholic tradition, as articulated by Aquinas in the Summa Theologica, emphasizes that Christ's Passion is the source of remission for both original and actual sin. This remission is received through the sacraments, which derive their efficacy from Christ's Passion. A sacrament of the Church is considered necessary for the remission of sin, either received actually or "at least in desire" if actual reception is prevented by an unavoidable obstacle [13]. This highlights the role of the Church and its sacraments in mediating God's grace and forgiveness.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
  4. Romans “Romans 3:24 (Webster) — Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  7. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 23: sinner is pardoned and restored to the favour of God, this again is declared to be of grace. If of grace it is not founded upon anything in the sinner himself. Now as the Scriptures not only teach that the plan of salvation is thus gratuitous in its inception, execution, and application, but also insist upon this characteristic of the plan as of vital importance, and even go so far as to teach that unless we consent to be saved by grace, we cannot be saved at all, it of necessity follows that the doctrine of subjective justification is co”
  8. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 17.--OF SUICIDE COMMITTED THROUGH FEAR OF PUNISHMENT OR DISHONOR.: And consequently, even if some of these virgins killed themselves to avoid such disgrace, who that has any human feeling would refuse to forgive them.? And as for those who would not put an end to their lives, lest they might seem to escape the crime of another by a sin of their own, he who lays this to their charge as a great wickedness is himself not guiltless of the fault of folly. For if it is not, lawful to take the law into our own hands, and slay even a gui”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 111: his willingness to forgive sin, and as confirming to us the truth of those doctrines He is entitled to be regarded as the Saviour of men. Thirdly, others again regard the power of Christ in saving men from sin, as not due to his teaching, or to his sealing his doctrines with his blood, but to the manifestation which He made of self-sacrificing love. This exerts a greater power over the hearts of men than all else besides. If the wicked cannot be reclaimed by love, which manifests itself not only in words of gentleness, by acts of kindnes”
  10. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 27. -- WHETHER VOLUNTARY DEATH SHOULD BE SOUGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID SIN. (part 1): There remains one reason for suicide which I mentioned before, and which is thought a sound one,--namely, to prevent one's falling into sin either through the blandishments of pleasure or the violence of pain. If this reason were a good one, then we should be impelled to exhort men at once to destroy themselves, as soon as they have been washed in the laver of regeneration, and have received the forgiveness of all sin. Then is the time to escape all ”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 66: 22. Both of these become perfectly clear from the words of Paul: “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” He then subjoins the sum of his embassy: “He has made him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” ( 2 Cor. 5:19-21 ). He here uses righteousness and reconciliation indiscriminately, to make us understand that the one includes the other. The mode of obtaining this righteo”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 53: from him. This distinction is also noted whenever the grace of Christ is connected with the love of God ( 2 Cor. 13:13 ); whence it follows, that he bestows upon us of his own which he acquired by purchase. For otherwise there would be no ground for the praise ascribed to him by the Father, that grace is his, and proceeds from him. 3. That Christ, by his obedience, truly purchased and merited grace for us with the Father, is accurately inferred from several passages of Scripture. I take it for granted, that if Christ satisfied for ”
  13. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Confession, As Regards Its Necessity, Art. 1: Article: Whether confession is necessary for salvation? I answer that, Christ's Passion, without whose power, neither original nor actual sin is remitted, produces its effect in us through the reception of the sacraments which derive their efficacy from it. Wherefore for the remission of both actual and original sin, a sacrament of the Church is necessary, received either actually, or at least in desire, when a man fails to receive the sacrament actually, through an unavoidable obstacle, and ”
  14. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 83: 3:4; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10 ), let us not doubt that the clemency of our heavenly Father, instead of being cut off or curtailed, is in much greater exuberance. Nor are proofs of this wanting. Peter, who had heard our Saviour declare that he who did not confess his name before men would be denied before the angels of God, denied him thrice in one night, and not without execration; yet he is not denied pardon ( Mark 8:38 ). Those who lived disorderly among the Thessalonians, though chastised, are still invited to repentance ( 2 Thess. 3:6 ).”
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