Does Your Theological Interpretation of Repentance Match the Biblical Definition?

Dr. Charlie Bing of GraceLife Ministries has written a new article on repentance titled "Quotes on Repentance as a Change of Mind, Part 2". The article is available on the Resources page of the GraceLife.org website. Please check it out!

In the conclusion of the article, Dr. Bing says something that I think is important to notice. What Dr. Bing points out is that although many Bible scholars down through church history have correctly understood the meaning of repentance (as being a change of mind), they have not always been consistent to apply that definition theologically. Concerning this, Dr. Bing writes: 

"For twenty centuries, Bible experts consistently agree that the simple meaning of repentance is a change of mind or heart, an inner change. Many state that it should lead to an outward change but distinguish this from the inner change. After admitting that repentance is a change of mind, a few of those cited sometimes modify the word to include sorrow and/or turning from sins. But these adjustments are likely capitulations to theological biases not supported by the biblical evidence. All agree on the essential meaning of a change of mind as the starting point that is faithful to the clear biblical evidence. Rightly so, many of these cited thinks that repentance that relates to salvation reflects the change of mind that comes when one believes in Jesus Christ as Savior (see GraceNotes - no. 22: "Repentance: What's in a Word"). Such an understanding of repentance keeps salvation absolutely free by grace through faith."[1]

Amen!

For more information please see the following articles:

• The Meaning of Repentance: Quotes from the Ancients, Lexicons, and Theologians by Jonathan Perreault (1st Edition)
• The Meaning of Repentance: Quotes from the Ancients, Lexicons, and Theologians by Jonathan Perreault (2nd Edition)

• Quotes on Repentance as a Change of Mind, Part 1 by Charlie Bing
• Quotes on Repentance as a Change of Mind, Part 2 by Charlie Bing

Reference:

[1] Charlie Bing, "Quotes on Repentance as a Change of Mind, Part 2". GraceNotes - no. 93.

Pruitt's "Lordship" Article Misrepresents Free Grace Theology, Pt. 2

In the article "Lordship and Free Grace Salvation: Repentance in Luke-Acts"[1], Jon Pruitt also has a very biased way of categorizing Bible verses as either favoring Lordship or Free Grace Salvation. For example, Pruitt begins by discussing the Greek word epistrephomai, from epistrephō, which means "to turn". (The Greek word epistrephō is mentioned several times in the New Testament in connection with repentance. For example, see Acts 3:19, 11:21, 26:20.) The first occurrence of epistrephō in Luke-Acts is Luke 1:16-17. So according to the Law of First Mention (at least in Luke-Acts), this passage is very significant. And what does it say? It says that the turning is an inward turning of the heart! "And he [John the Baptist] will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn [epistrepsai] the hearts...." (Luke 1:17; cf. Malachi 4:6). Commenting on Luke 1:16-17, even Pruitt admits: "The angel prophesies that John will return the hearts of the people back to God."[2] This of course supports the Free Grace view of repentance as an internal turning or change of heart/mind.[3] Yet amazingly, Pruitt concludes that "this instance is neutral to the Lordship-Free Grace debate." How is it neutral when it clearly supports the Free Grace view of repentance? If Pruitt were honest with what Free Grace theology teaches, he would point out what Charles Ryrie and others have said in reference to the traditional Free Grace view of repentance. For example, in 1961 Charles Ryrie wrote: “Change of mind is the meaning of the word repent. This is not mere sorrow for sin, though that may be involved; nor is it a mere mental assent to facts. It is the kind of basic change of mind that will result in a change of life and is perhaps best conveyed by the phrase ‘change of heart’ (cf. Rom. 2:5, where lack of repentance is described as an ‘unrepentant heart’).”[4]

ENDNOTES:

[1] Jon Pruitt, "Lordship and Free Grace Salvation: Repentance in Luke-Acts" (April 2008), Liberty University, Senior Honors Theses.

[2] Ibid., p. 8.

[3] For example, Lewis Sperry Chafer (the founder of Dallas Theological Seminary) wrote the following about repentance: "It is true that repentance can very well be required as a condition of salvation, but then only because the change of mind which it is has been involved when turning from every other confidence to the one needful trust in Christ. Such turning about, of course, cannot be achieved without a change of mind. This vital newness of mind [repentance] is a part of believing, after all, and therefore it may be and is used as a synonym for believing at times". (L. S. Chafer, Systematic Theology [Dallas: Dallas Seminary Press, 1948], vol. 7, p. 265, emphasis his.)

[4] Charles Ryrie, The Acts of the Apostles - Everyman's Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1961), p. 21, comment on Acts 2:38-41. For more information see my blog post titled: "The Meaning of Repentance: Quotes from the Ancients, Lexicons, and Theologians".

Pruitt's "Lordship" Article Misrepresents Free Grace Theology, Pt. 1

In the article "Lordship and Free Grace Salvation: Repentance in Luke-Acts"[1], Jon Pruitt concludes the following in regards to the word "repent" (Gr. metanoeō) in Luke 3:3 and Luke 3:8:

"Thus there are at least two implications about µετανοέω that can be made from these references on John’s baptism. First is that genuine repentance will produce fruit. It must or else suffer judgment. The second implication follows from the first. If one does not repent, they will not receive salvation, but be 'thrown in the fire' (Luke 3:9). So these verses favor a Lordship interpretation."[2] 

Traditional Free Grace Theology also affirms and agrees with these same two points. So it is incorrect to conclude that "these verses favor a Lordship interpretation."[3] 

Unfortunately, Pruitt seems not completely familiar with Free Grace Theology. To a certain extent that's probably to be expected from someone writing from the outside looking in. But it makes me wonder, what else has Pruitt misrepresented in his article? 

To be continued....

ENDNOTES:

[1] Jon Pruitt, "Lordship and Free Grace Salvation: Repentance in Luke-Acts" (April 2008), Liberty University, Senior Honors Theses.

[2] Ibid., p. 27.

[3] For more information see my blog post titled: "Charles Ryrie on Repentance and Faith".