The Call to Repentance, Metanoia and Conversion in the Bible

This book offers a comprehensive and deeply analytical exploration of the concept of repentance (metanoia) in Christian theology, tracing its evolution from biblical times through the history of the Church, culminating in contemporary understandings. Throughout its twenty chapters, the work delves into theological, historical, and doctrinal reflections on repentance, conversion, and the transformative power of turning away from sin and toward God. It examines how the concept of repentance has influenced Christian spirituality, liturgy, and ecclesiastical practices across different historical periods and traditions. The book begins with an examination of repentance in the Bible, focusing on its central role in both the Old and New Testaments. The early chapters analyze the Hebrew concept of shuv (turning back to God) and its development into the New Testament Greek term metanoia, which emphasizes a change of mind and heart. The teachings of Jesus, the Apostles, and the theological contributions of Paul highlight repentance as both an individual response to sin and a communal call to transformation. As the narrative progresses, the book explores the evolution of repentance in the early Church, focusing on the writings of the Church Fathers, such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Augustine, who shaped the doctrine of repentance in the context of sacramental theology. The development of penance as a formal sacrament, particularly in the medieval Church, is examined, with attention to the role of the clergy, confession, and absolution. Overall, this book offers a rich and expansive view of repentance, exploring its biblical, theological, historical, and practical dimensions, and demonstrating how repentance remains a central theme in the life of the Church and in the journey of the believer.