The point is that the unrepentant CANNOT be forgiven, and by definition that is completely correct. God alone can forgive those who are not sorry for their actions. Man cannot. Saying "you are forgiven" is not something that Jeff Metcalf has the power to do.

Because Stephen forgave the completely unrepentant rabbis who stoned him, I would have to say you're incorrect. Stephen did not perpetrate a falsity as his last act on earth. It is possible for man to forgive the unrepentant. But is that a prescription? No, because the parable of the debtors involved repentant wrongdoers.

You're also conflating God's forgiveness and man's forgiveness. Jeff Metcalf can't pardon Karmelo Anthony's sins, yes, but that would be true even if Anthony genuinely repented. Human forgiveness is not about pardoning sins, it's about letting go of bitterness.

Having said all that, should Metcalf have forgiven Anthony? If it came from a place of genuine spirituality I would agree with StaticNoise2, but from what I've seen I have my doubts, and in that case no. Certainly not in public the day after the murder. More time is needed to collect one's thoughts.

Indeed, if Metcalf was actually sincere in his forgiveness, he should also be able to announce his public forgiveness for Jake Lang. Instead we have Metcalf speaking with more vitriol for "racists" than for the actual murderer.

Let's also keep in mind that Christ himself called forgiveness on the unrepentant Roman soldiers who crucified him because they didn't know what they were doing. Does this mean that God blanket forgives the unrepentant? No, it means God is merciful above human understanding and seeks tirelessly for all to be saved. I'm not saying this as a commentary on this story, but just so people understand more about forgiveness.

The point is that the unrepentant CANNOT be forgiven, and by definition that is completely correct. God alone can forgive those who are not sorry for their actions. Man cannot. Saying "you are forgiven" is not something that Jeff Metcalf has the power to do.

Because Stephen forgave the completely unrepentant rabbis who stoned him, I would have to say you're incorrect. Stephen did not perpetrate a falsity as his last act on earth. It is possible for man to forgive the unrepentant. But is that a prescription? No, because the parable of the debtors involved repentant wrongdoers.

You're also conflating God's forgiveness and man's forgiveness. Jeff Metcalf can't pardon Karmelo Anthony's sins, yes, but that would be true even if Anthony genuinely repented. Human forgiveness is not about pardoning sins, it's about letting go of bitterness.

Having said all that, should Metcalf have forgiven Anthony? If it came from a place of genuine spirituality I would agree with StaticNoise2, but from what I've seen I have my doubts, and in that case no. Certainly not in public the day after the murder. More time is needed to collect one's thoughts.

Let's also keep in mind that Christ himself called forgiveness on the unrepentant Roman soldiers who crucified him because they didn't know what they were doing. Does this mean that God blanket forgives the unrepentant? No, it means God is merciful above human understanding and seeks tirelessly for all to be saved. I'm not saying this as a commentary on this story, but just so people understand more about forgiveness.