Toward a Psychology of Divine Forgiveness: 2. Initial Component Analysis

Although divine forgiveness has given rise to a small but growing body of empirical research, no attempt has been made to describe the processes involved when a person seeks divine forgiveness. The present article, therefore, sets out to identify the salient elements or "moving parts" in the human quest for divine forgiveness. Starting from the entry point of what triggers a person to seek divine forgiveness several steps are outlined culminating in the recalibration of behavior that can result from perceived forgiveness offered by a Supreme Being or Higher Power. The model integrates cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions involved in the human experience of divine forgiveness. In addition, the relevance of this analysis for other fields of research in developmental, social, and clinical psychology is briefly illustrated. The article concludes by reiterating the heuristic goal of the model to stimulate research and acknowledging its need for revision as such research proceeds.