Social Exchange Theory: Christian Perspectives On Forgiveness

The theories and perspectives explains about forgiveness has been a debate a few years ago. The differences religious on the perspective of forgiveness creates a better understanding on this topic where all religion encouraging forgiveness. In this world, there are varieties of religious that people believe. Then, the perspectives of forgiveness are different according to different religious.
Christian views on forgiveness
Roberto Assagioli’s famous forgiveness quote is ‘Without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of resettlement and retaliation’. Christian’s perspectives on forgiveness as stated by (McCullough, Pargament, & Thoresen , 2000) , Forgiveness is generally understood as an act of from an injury offense, or debt.

According to (McCullough , Sandage, Brown , Rachal, Worthington Jr, & Light , 1998) , Even more distal than the social-cognitive and offense-level determinants of forgiving are qualities of the interpersonal relationship in which forgiving is occasioned. It is in considering these variables that our theorizing is most heavily shaped by interdependence theory (page 3).
Social exchange theory purpose that we tend to make and keep the person who increasing our reward and decreasing costs. It means that we tend to hold onto person who brings goods and benefits to us rather than people who bring the deficits and negativity. This theory emphasize on equal exchange of benefits is desirable. Meaning to say that, each person is being tolerant with each other. As an example, we always stay close to people who make us more comfortable, talking to them and always be thoughtful. In the sense that, they ask forgiveness when something goes wrong. The people who always forgive and ask forgiveness in certain relationship produce a positive relationship. It makes the relationship stay longer because of the strong foundation that they have