Forgiveness is complicated

We have ranged across a wide territory to show that forgiveness is not a simple matter. If we think of Christian theology and ethics purely in terms of forgiveness, we will have neglected a central aspect of God’s own character and will be in no position to understand the cross in its fullest dimension. God’s new creation must be a just one, or the promises of God will seem like mockery to those whose defenselessness has been exploited by the powerful. Furthermore, if we fail to take account of God’s justice, we will miss the extraordinary way in which it is recast in the New Testament kerygma.—Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion, 131