On Redemption

From Blind Spots by Max Bazerman and Ann Tenbrunsel:

...Researchers found in one study that offering people an opportunity to wash their hands after behaving immorally reduced their need to compensate for an immoral action (for example, by volunteering to help someone).  In this study, the opportunity to cleanse oneself of an immoral action - in this case, physically - was sufficient to restore one's self-image; no other action was needed.  (p. 72)

Our first thought, of course, goes to the gospel account of Jesus' trial before Pilate.  In Matthew 27:24 Pilate, having sentenced Jesus after pressure from the crowds, wishes to absolve himself of the guilt:

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

So did it work?  Did Pilate, as this study would suggest, feel less guilty after that symbolic act?  More importantly, was he any less guilty?  Before God?

What about the sacraments of the church then?  What about our liturgical confessions and absolutions?  This study suggests why us religious folk might like them - these symbolic acts assuage our conscience - but are they actually undermining our spiritual development?  That is, by removing our feelings of guilt, do they thereby remove the main impetus we had for striving to do better?


Or is it in fact the opposite?  Why should we assume that spiritual maturity - spiritual development - involves us doing better?  Doesn't that line of thinking lead to what the old evangelicals called a "works righteousness", wherein we earn our way to heaven by doing good things?  "I'm a good Christian," the so-deluded might say, "because I live well.  I do good things.  I volunteer at the shelter, I give to the food bank.  Sure, I've done some bad things in my life, but who hasn't?  And more importantly, I think I've made up for them by now!"   So maybe this study shows how our symbolic redemptions can counter that.  Maybe, by removing our need to "make up for it" through our own efforts, these acts lead us to rely more on the grace and mercy of God?

Perhaps.  But you should still volunteer to help someone.