In Richard Foster’s book “Celebration of Discipline”, Confession is listed as a Corporate Discipline. I was quite surprised to see something which I had not expected to be a Discipline included as such. Indeed, the author himself makes this point, asking the question “Isn’t confession a grace instead of a Discipline?” He then answers himself – “It is both.” [1] By looking at Confession as a discipline, I began to see that confession is indeed something that we should practice so that we can grow spiritually.
“Confessionals” were an integral part of church life in the early church. One would regularly go to the priest to confess, obtain absolution, and pay a penance. Over time, this practice brought about unbiblical practices, such as the selling of indulgences. During the Reformation, such practices were questioned and eventually rooted out. Reformation leader Martin Luther also opposed the idea that only priests could hear confessions and give absolution, believing instead in the priesthood of all believers. Reformation eventually lead to the discontinuation of Confessionals in the Protestant church. Today, only the Catholic and Orthodox churches continue to practice Confession as a sacrament. It has become a lost art in most evangelical churches.
Foster also addresses another question: why should Confession be a Corporate Discipline? Shouldn’t confession be “a private matter between the individual and God.” Again he answers it himself – it is both. We need to confess our sins both as individuals and the body of Christ.
In James 5:16, the Bible admonishes us to “confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another.” It is clear that Christians should confess our sins to one another as part of our spiritual growth, even though we do not need to practice it as a sacrament.
I think for us, the main challenge lies in making Confession an integral part of both our personal devotion and our church practice. Some may think that we already ask for God’s forgiveness in our personal prayers, and we also confess our sins as part of corporate prayers during worship service. But most of time, such confessions are quite shallow and general. They do not adequately cover these three steps (attributed to St. Alphonsus Liguori): an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin. [2]
For more mature Christians, there is also a need to learn to hear the confessions of other brothers and sisters. We do not have to be ordained ministers to proclaim the forgiveness of sins to those who have confessed their sins. The have already been forgiven through Jesus Christ, who gave us salvation. Our role is to provide assurance and support so that they can express their sorrow, and be accountable to changing their behaviour to avoid sin.
Through the Discipline of Confession, may we be reminded of our own weaknesses and continually go humbly before God to seek forgiveness and strength to change our ways. May we also help others to discern their weaknesses and encourage them to confess their sins, supporting them in their spiritual growth.
[1] Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline (PerfectBound, 1998), 145.
[2] Ibid., 151.