Cheek turning
Sir; John Casey (test we forgive', 9 September) has much to say about') 'the mysterious and paradoxical Christian doct- rine of forgiveness'. But he fails to disting- uish between forgiveness for sin and for- giveness for sinners. He says that `to forgive is divine' and comments `so it is'. But Christianity nowhere suggests that sin is forgiven. Otherwise what would be the point of Christ's death?
It is sinners who are forgiven and if God is prepared to do this through the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross, then so should human beings. The point was well made by Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts vii), 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge'. By Christian standards the action of the Jews in stoning him to death for blasphemy, however obligatory according to Jewish law, was a sin against God, and Stephen names it as such. but like his Lord and Master he requests forgiveness for his enemies, the sinners.
L. J. Coverley
Chelmsford Hall School, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.
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