On the one hand, I think you’re right. It’s easier to market “forgiveness” than “confession”..... But if we stop and really take inventory of today’s world, I don’t know. Look at all the people who want to go on to TV shows like Oprah or Dr Phil to “confess"… Look at the marketing endeavors of such. Look at Lifechurchtv....... look at their “confession” online tool and Craig’s own book.

Still thinking it through obviously. lol

I, too, like the idea of promoting reconciliation with God, but I don’t think confession to anyone other than God promotes reconciliation with God.

During my years in the Army I’ve seen many struggle with PTSD and I am a big proponent of the benefits of counseling, for many of the struggles people deal with.  I don’t believe confession, as I understand the Catholic practice of it, to have the same benefit, or aim, as professional therapeutic counseling.

I think confession of sin should be between an individual and God and should be communicated to God thru prayer.  As for the therapeutic effects of confession I agree there can be benefits, but again I don’t think confession to anyone other than God promotes reconciliation to God.  I do not see the necessity for that reconciliation to be facilitated by confession to a priest.

If I struggle with sexual sin, is someone who’s taken a vow of celibacy the best person for me to talk to about it. Or about marital problems?  If I have wronged someone is it more appropriate for me to confess that to a priest or to the person I have wronged?

I probably feel the way I do because I was raised to be independent by a very independent woman and taught to very strongly believe in the Priesthood of the believer.

“Each believer is a priest, both before God for oneself and by caring for fellow believers and for persons in the world for whom Christ died.”

From We Baptists, James Leo Garrett Jr.

Daniel, I think I see your point.  I’m not sure that Scripture commands confession to another person to GAIN forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

However, as Leonard points out, confession to someone else is good.  I can think of a couple of reasons right off:

1.  It puts us in a position of accountability that we all need.  That’s not to say you need to confess absolutely everything, but at least someone who understands your struggles and won’t beat you up when you fail.  They can also offer prayer and encouragement in that area, especially if it’s an area in which they struggle.

2.  It opens up the opportunity for someone to declare the forgiveness of God in your life.  What I mean is this - if you were to tell me that you had sinned, my first question would be: Have you confessed it to God?  If you answered yes, then I could declare to you, based on the Word of God, that you have been forgiven.  By God, not by me.  When people have declared forgiveness in my life, it has been very freeing and uplifting.  This is not to say that God forgives because I say so; it is me saying God forgives because HE says so.

As to your question about to whom you should confess, I think it depends.  As much as possible, we should confess to the person we’ve sinned against.  Sometimes that’s not always possible (or even prudent - depending on what the sin is...), but we should do it as we can.  And we should ALWAYS confess to God.

A reminder: confession is not the act of informing God you’ve done something - He already knows!  Confession is the act of agreeing with God that what you have done is sin in His eyes.

Brian