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Thomas C. Oden Quotes

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Famous Thomas C. Oden Quotes

“The moment of confession is not merely when one hears another pronounce the words: God forgives you, or 'in God's name I absolve you.' Rather it is that point at which the sinner unfeignedly experiences himself as truly judged and pardoned by God.”

Sin Christianity Confession Absolution God S Mercy

Book:Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

Source: Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

“Protestants at one time were confident that their free form of confession was a vast improvement upon Catholic private confession to a priest because it is voluntary, demystified, and not routinized. But amid the acids of modernity it has volunteered itself right out of existence. Demystification has dwindled into desacralization. The escape from routinization has become a convenient cover for the demise of repentance. The postmodern pastor is trying to learn anew to listen to the deeper range of feelings of others, without forgetfulness of the Word of God.”

Church Sin Christianity Confession Ministry Pastoral Care

Book:Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

Source: Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

“The confessor can nullify the exquisitely seasonable moment of confession by talking instead of listening. When he sees pedagogy and advice as more important than simple listening, he diverts the stream of confession.”

Sin Confession Ministry Pastoral Care

Book:Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

Source: Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

“One trains the eye of confession most closely on what is hurting. If sin is present it will be aching. Confession begins where the raw anguish of conscience is rubbing against the primordial awareness of God's holiness.”

Sin Repentance Confession Ministry Pastoral Care

Book:Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

Source: Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

“A delicate balance is required: keep the penitent tautly close to the point of recognizing sin, and then allow the relief of that pressure to flow through forgiveness. Confession increases this tautness, only to clear the path for release.”

Sin Forgiveness Repentance Confession

Book:Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

Source: Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

“Every experienced pastor knows that what the penitent heart says about itself is much more consequential than well-made truthful sentences that shout from the outside of the inner voice of conscience. No element of confession is more crucial than the discipline of listening. The attentive listener is a chosen agent of divine reconciliation. When the moment for keen listening is offered, take it as an inestimable gift.”

Listening Confession Ministry Pastoral Care

Book:Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline

Source: Corrective Love: The Power of Communion Discipline