Social confession is the most difficult type of confession to understand.  There are many different perspectives on what it should look like and how to confess such things. As I try to explain this to you and layout my case for the need for social confession understand that depending on your world view you may get and understanding that I don’t intend. To try and help with this before I explain what social confession is let me take a moment and explain what it is not.

Social Confession is not you confessing your sin to me and me confessing your sin to the father much like might be done before a priest. It is not a vehicle by which we are to confess the ills of this world separate from the understanding of our roll in perpetrating it. Nor is it simply confessing the bad things in this world that I do not agree with. No if social confession were that then it would be empty and not pleasing to the Lord in the least.

As I try to find words for what social confession is the best term I have found is intersession. Let me explain because I know there is a difference to many between intersession and confession. Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote in his book Ethics from page 110-115 about the 10 confessions of the church. These confessions follow closely the 10 commandments brought down the mountain by Moses on the tablets. In this book Bonheoffer explains that as a part of the CHURCH we (I) must acknowledge that I share the “guilt” of the sin of the church and it is thus my obligation to confess the sins of the church as my own.  I know this can be difficult to understand depending on your background. I encourage you to read through the social confessions posted on this site and read through my blog as you read these confessions first hand I think you will get a better picture of what I understood from this portion of Bonheoffer’s writing.

The bible also shows many examples of social confession and intercession. Jesus says in Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." It is clear that Jesus is interceding on behalf of the solders but I also see confession. Jesus is confessing their sin to the father and the sin of all the people who took part in condemning Him to the cross and asks His father to forgive them. The only difference here is that when Jesus confessed this sin it was sin of which he had no part. We however can not say the same thing. Remember Jesus was sinless and took our sins upon him so that we would be saved.   In Ephesians we read that we are to love as Christ loves the church. I am here to tell you that He presents us as Holy and Blameless (Ephesians 1:4). Like wise we are to love others and do the same.  (If this is confusing for you remember this confessing to a priest and the priest confessing to Christ).  In Acts 7:59 we see a similar act by Stephen, “59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

When we seek the Lord He alone will show us what to confess Bonheoffer explains this as the “guilt” from being in the presence of the King. I struggled for quite some time with the use of the word guilt as I come from a background where guilt was used to control and manipulate never to set one free. This is not that type of guilt. I think a better translation from the context would be the word responsibility.  When in the presence of the PERFECT one seated on the thrown even the slighted discoloration is noticeable. When we see it in ourselves or in our church, our community or society this must be confessed.  Ezra 10 is another good example. Did everyone in that culture marry foreign women? No , probably not but they knew that they had sinned against the Lord and so they confessed. 

I hope this helps clear things up for you. And as I learn and understand more I will no doubt rewrite or revise this again (this is my third time). In the mean time I invite you to send me confession that you think of. Or consider taking part in our blog discussions.