If I were to punch you in the nose, then ask someone sitting next to you to forgive me, that wouldn't do. Forgiveness is a transaction that always involves the two parties involved in the offense. In this way, all is satisfied that should be. In contrast, the liberal view amounts to little more than a toleration or a condoning of sin. To live forgiveness is to give wholehearted acceptance to others.
Forgiveness is acceptance with no exception.
To separate Christ's prayer on the cross from His crucifixion as Augsburger seems to do in this place is a tragic mistake. Psychological doctrines of acceptance are cheap substitutes for forgiveness that deny the need for and efficacy of Christ's atonement- men can accept one another apart from that. Men are sinners and cannot be handled by acceptance. I say attempts because it isn't really possible to be neutral about sin. Sin is against God, and it isn't possible to be neutral about God, Who has been offended by sin.