Shark Island – Local pastor Karl-Heinz Burger says forgiveness should never come with demands in return.

He shared these views when asked by New Era on how Christians should approach the issue of forgiveness regarding the genocide atrocities committed by German colonial forces against the Nama and Ovaherero communities between 1904 and 1908 at Shark Island.

“Regardless of the nature of the offence, we, as Christians, should follow Scripture and not expect forgiveness to come with favours in return,” he stated.

The clergyman further referenced the Bible saying that since God forgives people repeatedly without demanding anything in return, descendants of genocide victims should also try to follow suit.

“We all agree that what was done to our harmless ancestors was cruel and inhumane, but is it perhaps time now to solve this issue amicably and move on instead of keeping this sad history forever in our hearts?” Burger asked.

In his contribution, Pastor Zezito Epifanio from the Logos Family Church argued that blessings may be withheld from Christians who continue to cling to the past and are unwilling to forgive their neighbours for wrongdoing.

“Symbolically, it means one cannot enter the promised land while still dwelling on the days in Egypt,” he explained.

The clergyman advised those affected by the genocide, as well as the broader community to forgive their trespassers and move on with life.

“I do not condone the evil deeds carried out during the genocide massacres, but for how long must we cling to them with hearts full of hatred? This is definitely not what God sacrificed His beloved Son for, who paid the ultimate price for the forgiveness of our sins,” said Epifanio.

He further noted that other nations around the world have also endured similar massacres but have, in the meantime, reconciled and worked together to rebuild and develop their countries from the ashes.

“We read in the Bible that we must forgive in order to be forgiven. Therefore, we should forgive those who hurt us so that we, too, may be forgiven by those we have hurt in life,” Epifanio added.

– sklukowski@nepc.com.na