Find the Clues: Father Gabriel’s Struggle with Forgiveness

By Tracey Phillipps | May 28, 2015

What’s the deal with Father Gabriel? He obviously is dealing with some inner turmoil and I believe the writers and directors of The Walking Dead have left us some clues.

I believe Father Gabriel is struggling to accept God’s grace after selfishly locking his parishioners out of the church. I also believe that is why I get so incredibly frustrated with the character of Father Gabriel. As a clergyman he teaches of grace, yet appears unable to accept it for himself.

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead AMC

Christians believe in grace, which is not earned. Speaking as a Christian myself, I can say with confidence that none of us deserve God’s forgiveness based on our actions. Being “good” does not buy us forgiveness. The Bible explains that the death and resurrection of Jesus reconciles us to God, not our works. It is freely given to those who believe and repent. It can be hard to wrap one’s head around the concept of grace, but yet it is at the core of Christian theology.

Consider the following clues in regard to Gabriel’s struggle.

Photo Credit: screen capture from AMC’s The Walking Dead

When Gabriel flees the church in the episode “Crossed”, he steps on a nail. The nail may be a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus. Remember, it was Jesus’ death that paid the penalty for all sins, resulting in grace. Now Gabriel has this constant painful physical reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice as he limps to the schoolyard to see if the story of Bob’s torture was indeed true. He struggles both figuratively and literally as he journeys to the site.

Photo Credit: screen capture from AMC’s The Walking Dead

He arrives at the school yard and finds Mary’s Bible in a backpack. He opens it to the 2nd book of Chronicles Chapter 8 in the Old Testament. The 12th verse refers to a burnt offering. Gabriel looks up and sees the charred, burnt leg of Bob and is horrified. Walkers then break through the doors coming toward him and he flees to the church.

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead AMC

In addition to the irony of him now bring locked out of the church himself, he must rely on the mercy of Michonne and Carl, who risk their own safety, to let him in and save him from the walkers. He joins the group on their journey to D.C., but instead of being grateful for the group saving him, he continues to appear burdened and conflicted.

Photo Credit: screen capture from AMC’s The Walking Dead

The group arrives at Alexandria, a safe haven. He has the opportunity to lead a church there. Yet he still seems uneasy all the time. He enters the garage that has been converted into a makeshift sanctuary. He goes to the pulpit where the Bible is open to Leviticus Chapter 1, a book of the Old Testament where Chapter 1 is titled “The Law of Burnt Offerings”. This would appear to be a callback to the burnt offering reference in the schoolyard. It also speaks to the idea of atonement in exchange for forgiveness in contrast to grace as fulfilled in the New Testament.

Photo Credit: screen capture from AMC’s The Walking Dead

He turns his head and sees another “offering”, one of fresh strawberries from his new congregants, a gift of kindness and acceptance. But the gesture upsets him, as he is presumably reminded again of his imperfection and his struggle to accept forgiveness. He rips out the rest of the pages in the Bible. He seems to be paralyzed with the idea that he must somehow be able to personally atone for his horrific response to his previous congregation.

Photo Credit: screen capture from AMC’s The Walking Dead

At the end of the episode, Father Gabriel goes to Deanna and talks about Rick’s group saying that “they’re not good people”. Again this contradicts the church’s belief in grace. No one is truly good; all are flawed yet offered the gift of God’s grace. Why is Gabriel consumed with judgement and fear rather than seeking redemption through Christ?

In the season 5 finale, we see Father Gabriel venture outside the walls and come face to face with a walker. It looks like he is going to allow the walker to attack him. But he ends up killing the walker instead. He then kills the human that the walker had been feasting upon, presumably in an act of mercy. Here he demonstrates mercy but has not yet been able to receive it for himself. Also, there has been some discussion as to why his white shirt remains spotless during this bloody encounter. I believe this may actually be another reference to God’s forgiveness. His shirt is not “blotted with sin” but “washed clean” by the grace of God. Do you think this was a production mistake or a symbolic choice?

Photo Credit: screen capture from AMC’s The Walking Dead

Father Gabriel returns to the compound, but he continues to condemn himself and very harshly condemns Sasha, who is looking to him for guidance. The two fight and Sasha is about to execute Gabriel. Maggie walks in, stops Sasha, and reaches her hand to Gabriel in a gesture of acceptance. Next we see the three of them hands clasped in prayer.

Does this mean Father Gabriel has finally accepted God’s forgiveness for his transgressions? Can he begin to move forward with purpose and renewed faith? Will we see him contributing to the group instead of judging them? I am anxious to find out in October. And I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

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