I can’t imagine God giving that kind of power to man to deny absolution and forgiveness to each other if it means forgiveness is denied by heaven as well.

I do know that it is possible to risk denial of your own requests for forgiveness if you deny others forgiveness for offenses against you (Matt 6:14,15). I think the word “retain” in this instance, means on the part of man, not God.

If I could offer one closing remark that I think sums up my own difficulty sorting through competing ideas it would be this: If Jesus gave authority to forgive sins to His disciples and also the authority to retain them, that is deny absolution and forgiveness, why isn’t that practiced anywhere outside of the Catholic Church (granting that it is also practiced in isolated cases in Lutheranism, Anglicanism and East Orthodox)? There may be instances where people express God’s forgiveness to one another, but have you ever heard anyone say to someone, “your sins are not forgiven by the authority that is passed to me”? And yet, Jesus said, who’s sins your retain, they are retained.

Thanks again Evan. If you’re ever in Alberta, look me up.

You are correct that I may find it difficult to understand, coming from a non-catholic background, and, although I find it hard to justify many of your views and practices based on my own Biblical worldview, it is clear that you share my passionate pursuit of God.

Thank you, also, for “getting” what I am about on this blog as I seek to separate religion from authentic relationship in my own experience.

I have greatly enjoyed this conversation and would love to meet you in person someday.