Differing views on forgiveness: how do graduate-level theology students in South Korea perceive divine and human forgiveness?

Abstract

ABSTRACT How do graduate-level theology students in Korea perceive human and divine forgiveness? Are there certain aspects of forgiveness that they see as more different than other aspects because of their theological and cultural assumptions of human and divine forgiveness? Theology students from two Protestant divinity programs in South Korea showed higher endorsements for abandoning a desire for revenge, developing goodwill toward the offender, and restoring relationships in the context of divine forgiveness than human forgiveness. They did not differ on their level of endorsement for reconciliation as a necessary component of divine and human forgiveness. We discuss our findings within the context of South Korea and provide implications for clinical practice, limitations, and directions for future research.