What Is Repentance?

All people have sinned and broken God’s law. None of us are good (Rom. 3:10). And as a result of our sin, God commands us to repent. But what does repentance look like? In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul looks at several people in the Bible and how they give us a model of repentance. Dr. Sproul explains that true repentance is not simply a religious ritual or the resolve to do better next time. Rather, it’s a spiritual conversion in which we turn from our sin and to God in faith. The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.

Publisher: Ligonier Ministries
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781642890532

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R. C. Sproul, the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, was known for his ability to communicate the deep truths of the Christian faith. He wass president of Reformation Bible College, preached at Saint Andrew's Chapel, and teached on the daily rad

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‘The Biblical concept of repentance is radically different. In “What is Repentance?” by R.C. Sproul, he explains that the word “repentance” is translated from the Greek word metanoia. “Generally speaking,” Sproul writes, “metanoia has to do with the changing of one’s mind with respect to one’s behavior. It contains the idea of ruing. To rue something means to regret a particular action. It carries with it not only an intellectual assessment but also an emotional or visceral response. The feeling most often associated with repentance in Scripture is that of remorse, regret, and a sense of sorrow for having acted in a particular way. This, repentance involves sorrow for a previous form of behavior.” In other words, repentance has nothing to do with sorrow at being caught, but with sorrow for doing something wrong in the first place. Sproul goes on to draw pictures of repentance from the Old Testament, the model of King David (who did many things wrong but experienced genuine remorse for those wrongs), and a discussion of the concept of repentance in the New Testament. It is a short book but it is packed with insight and wisdom – and explaining what used to be obvious. In a time and culture that focuses on self, always being right, and never admitting wrong, “What is Repentance?” is a refreshing counterpoint.’ Glynn Young