Confession and Absolution in the Reformed Tradition

In the Reformed Christian tradition, confession (admitting your sins) and absolution (being declared forgiven) offer a way to deal with guilt. Michael S. Horton's article, "Comfort Ye My People" explains that early Reformers saw these practices as ways for ministers to help people, not to exercise power.

Unlike the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, which often made forgiveness conditional, the Reformers viewed confession and absolution as simply sharing the good news of God's forgiveness. This approach has helped people avoid the deep uncertainty that medieval practices caused, and it also differs from the often confusing personal feelings common in some modern churches.

John Calvin, a key figure in the Reformation, strongly disagreed with the medieval idea of penance, which he felt burdened people with anxiety. He taught that forgiveness comes from God's mercy, not from anything people do to make up for their sins. For Calvin, confessing sins wasn't about earning God's favor, but about finding comfort and reassurance. He argued that the Bible's teaching on repentance means turning to God's mercy, not trying to earn forgiveness. This idea is central to Reformed theology: salvation comes only through God's grace and faith in Him.

The Reformed tradition includes both public and private confession and absolution. In public worship, people would generally confess their sins, and the minister would then declare God's forgiveness. Calvin believed this practice opened up prayer and helped people see their need for God's mercy. Private confession, though not mandatory, was seen as helpful for those struggling with specific sins. Ministers, whose job it is to teach and comfort through God's Word, were considered especially suited to offer this personal reassurance of forgiveness, which would strengthen a believer's faith.

Horton clarifies that private confession and absolution are not a different way to receive grace. They are, rather, a focused way to "preach" or to apply the gospel message. While Reformed churches differ from Lutheran churches on whether confession and absolution are a separate sacrament, they agree on their importance as part of the "power of the keys"—the authority given to ministers to declare sins forgiven. This power isn't about the minister having personal authority; it's about them announcing Christ's reconciliation. The main goal is always to guide people to Christ, not to make them rely on human leaders.

Ultimately, Horton stresses that confession and absolution in the Reformed tradition serve as tools for comfort and assurance. They offer a balanced approach to dealing with sin and guilt, avoiding both the strict rituals of the Roman Catholic Church and the overly individual focus sometimes found in evangelicalism. This practice, carried out by church leaders in public worship and private talks aims to build up faith and assure struggling Christians that God completely forgives them. It shows how God kindly reaches out to people in their weakness, giving them specific, personal assurance of forgiveness through Christ.