Confession is a nebulous buzzword in the Christian community. Is it personal or public, ritualistic or spontaneous? If I confess to an intermediary, do I hold back the groans that only the Holy Spirit can translate? It may be a private moment alone kneeling before the Father, a hidden practice behind a curtain with a priest, or a corporate movement as one voice laments the separation of God from His people.
No matter what approach we take, Scripture considers confession as an acknowledgment of our sin to God. [1] This idea of owning ones crime and seeking restitution to receive absolution seems to be hardwired in humanity by the Lord, as a way to draw us back into a closer relationship with him. Our conscience becomes heavy under the weight of sin and we feel compelled to disclose our faults and be free from the burden of carrying them.
But how we approach confession has become controversial. Because many of our parent’s generation vehemently rejected denominational tradition and strict Catholic practice, the children of these anti-ritual Christians are left void of any context for communal confession.
While the doctrine of imputed righteousness in the reformed tradition has alleviated the insecurity of assurance of salvation, it has not addressed our basic human need to cleanse our conscience. There have been many times where my own confession to the Lord in private prayer time has not been enough to fully remove the stain of “felt” sin and guilt. I know consciously that I am forgiven, but the effects of sin may linger through memories and shame. Luther may call this “faulty faith” and “terrors of doubt” that are common to man. [2]
While a ceremonial rite of penance has little appeal, memory verses said over and over by rote repetition also fall short to ease my troubled conscience. These are the times I crave a trusted advisor or a safe person to share my sin with, affirm my right standing with the Lord as forgiven through the blood of Jesus, and pray over me and with me. James 5:16 tells us to…“confess our sins to one another and pray for one another for healing.” This verse must not be taken out of the context of a passage on healing, but I would argue that there are certain types of sins that wound the spirit, and physical illness can often be linked to emotional trauma. Through Jesus we are offered forgiveness, but a part of our healing seems to come from group intervention.
This context for group confession and prayer extends to a larger group as well. When I am with a group of people who are authentic and share their own temptations, I am brought into community from the isolation of feeling alone and overwhelmed by my sin. There is comfort in the recognition that “all have fallen short of the glory of God” and the sweet reminder that even my sin is not unpardonable. This leads me to believe that the corporate structure of confession in conjunction with a private declaration provides the structure and guidance to forgiveness that I crave.
In the Protestant or Reformed church, “confession” has often been reduced to accountability groups and pastoral counseling, leaving it almost entirely out of the main church service. If it is included, it may be a very autonomous or personal moment before communion or as a ‘quiet” moment in prayer. In the anti-ritual movement away from meaningless and routine acts to a detached congregation, we have robbed ourselves of the beauty of communal expression.
Not long ago, I was standing in worship, singing and offering praise to God, when it hit me that what I really wanted to do was throw myself on the ground and plea for God’s mercy. I hadn’t done anything major or committed any crimes, but standing before a Holy God, I am overwhelmed by my sinful nature. Like Ezra, I bemoan my blemished state, “I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God and prayed: “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.” [3]
But here comes the rub…in a mainly Caucasian upper middle class suburban neighborhood, charismatic displays of emotion are a sign of instability not remorse. Some churches are now offering more creative methods of confession in a corporate manner, but still private enough to not intimidate those uncomfortable with a more traditional confession. My church Mariners, opened a chapel which is apart from the main worship center. Inside the chapel are different experiential methods to worship. There is a prayer wall to deposit prayers and have elders or a prayer team intercede, a candle lighting station, an opportunity to take communion during each service and a much longer time of reflection during worship. At Good Friday each year, large crosses are strewn across the floor and sins are penned on small pieces of paper and then physically nailed to a large cross. Another demonstrative approach is to write down the sins and then watch them disappear in blood stained water (who knew ministry workers were chemists too?). These simple acts give a tangible symbol to an intangible imputation. I appreciate these physical demonstrations of confession and absolution because I am reminded through the experience of God’s mercy.
Some may consider my desire for visual symbols and experiences as a lack of faith …but I disagree. I do confess a consistent and constant duality to my faith journey. While I believe that Jesus has already paid the penalty for my sin with his life and blood, I also yearn for assurance. Like the father confronted with his doubts, I cry out to God, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief![4]“
It is this hope in the unseen and that of what is yet to come, despite my doubt, which best describes my faith walk. If, our faith on this side of eternity will always be left wanting, and is often inadequate and faulty in its exercise, than an expression of repentance through a group seems less of a ritual and more of an approach to God.
[1] Easton’s Bible Dictionary
[2] The Dublin Review, Volumes 17-18, Nicholas Patrick Wiseman
[3] Ezra 9:5-6 (New International Version)
[4] Mark 9:24, New International Version(1984)
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