Date

12-16-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Page Brooks

Keywords

forgiveness, restoration, transformation, reconciliation, Genesis Offering, Typological Theology of Restoration, exegesis, sacrifices, fulfillment

Disciplines

Religion

Abstract

This dissertation explores forgiveness as divine restoration. I argue that biblical forgiveness is more than emotional release or social reconciliation. Forgiveness, grounded in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and fulfilled in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ, emerges as a theological act. In this way, it restores broken relationships between God and humanity. It also restores relationships among individuals. Through interdisciplinary analysis, the study integrates theological, psychological, and historical perspectives to redefine forgiveness as a covenantal and transformative practice. The research begins with what I call the Genesis Offering. This term describes God’s sacrificial act in Genesis 3:21, in which He provides atonement and a covering for Adam and Eve. From this foundational moment, the study traces sacrificial motifs through the books of Leviticus, Exodus, and Hosea. These motifs culminate in Christ’s atoning work. In Matthew 18:21–35 and 18:6–10, a close exegesis reveals that forgiveness serves not only as a personal act but also as a communal imperative. The study then constructs what I refer to as a typological theology of restoration. This theological framework interprets sacrificial patterns across Scripture as symbolic foreshadowing of Christ’s redemptive work. It emphasizes trust, discernment, and covenantal renewal as essential components of relational healing.

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