A poor theology of repentance has led the Church into its current crises.
Too often the Church’s theology of repentance relies on words and divorces itself from justice.
Repentance is more than words and actions.
In far too many ways the Church has taught that repentance = words. That repentance occurs when people say words, certain magic words. And saying the magic words leads to blessings.
We see this in the common theology of repentance for salvation. Too often evangelism methods are boiled down into getting people to say a prayer so they can go to heaven. Get people to say the right words (we’ll even give them the exact words) and then they’ll get the blessing of going to heaven.
Is it any surprise that our theology of repentance when it comes to salvation has bled over into other types of repentance? A pastor or lay leader commits a sin…they just need to say the magic words and they’ll receive the blessing of forgiveness and keeping their position, power, and money.
This is extremely damaging theology on so many levels.
No where does scripture show that words are the sign of repentance. Nowhere. In fact, we see the exact opposite.
Judges 10 is my favorite place to see this. Yet again Israel sinned. Yet again God disciplined them according to the Mosaic covenant. After eighteen years of oppression by an enemy they cried out in anguish to God (v. 10). The word for cry out has absolutely no connection to repentance. None. It is a simple word that describes cries of anguish. Can someone cry out in anguish while they are truly repenting. Sure. But a cry of anguish is not, in itself, repentance.
As they cry out in anguish they admit they did something wrong: “We have sinned against you and we have forsaken our God and we have worshiped the Baals.” That sounds good, right? They admitted to doing wrong.
Do you know how God responded to their cry and admission they had done wrong?
He said “no.”
They admitted guilt and God’s response was to say no. Or to be more specific, he responded like an exhausted frustrated parent who has heard it all before and wasn’t fooled by the sounds coming out of their mouths.
And the first word he says is a particle that (to oversimplify because English doesn’t have something comparable to this) is basically like beginning his sentence with a string of ten exclamation points. Then, instead of a coherent sentence, he simply lists people he’s delivered them from previously. (English translations typically add a subject and verb to v. 11 – it’s not there, though.) In my head I hear this with a voice of utter frustration and stuttering as though he can’t believe what he’s dealing with yet again; so, he just begins by listing all the times he’s delivered them before. And then… the list of places continues into verse 12 where we finally get a verb when he finishes listing places: “They oppressed you!”
Notice how so far he has said nothing – absolutely nothing – about their words yet? Well, he does next. He adds “And you cried out to me, and I removed you from their oppression!” And he keeps going, “But YOU! Abandoned me and you worshiped other gods! Therefore, I will no longer deliver you [from your oppressors]!”
But he’s not done!
“Go and complain/cry to the gods that you chose. THEY! Will deliver you from your troubles.”
Ouch.
If words of repentance are all that matter, why does God not restore Israel to their rightful place and remove their enemies when they say the magic words? Why is he telling them to go away? They said the magic words back in v. 10. Then for three verses God calls them on the carpet and lays it out for them.
But, you say, “he does restore them just keep reading.”
Okay. Let’s do that.
After hearing all that, they say the same worthless words again. They again say “We have sinned.” (The equivalent of all these “pastors” who abuse who say “I sinned.”) And they continue: “You! Do whatever you want to us. Just take away our enemies today!”
Bargaining.
Or, as I prefer to say, a fox-hole conversion.
Their words are hollow. They want out of their current predicament and are choosing (because they think they have a choice) an unknown predicament that God may do in its place at some later date. They just want relief today. Today is all that matters. (Sound familiar?)
Oh, but you say, their next actions are the actions of repentance? Hmmm.
In v. 16 it says they “turned away” or “put away” the foreign gods that they had. And they worshiped Yahweh.” Getting rid of the false gods – that’s a good thing. Worshiping (or serving) God sounds like a good thing… Until you remember that people can lie with actions just as much as they can with words. It’s almost as if we have some other verses that talk about this. Hm. If only we read all of scripture…
How about David – “You do not desire sacrifice or I would offer it. You do not desire a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a humble spirit – a humble and contrite heart you will not reject.” (Ps 51.16-17).
Descriptions of repentance or faithfulness in scripture fit into three broad categories. First, there is “turning to Yahweh.” It requires using the generic verb for “turn” and then the direction of turning. That doesn’t occur in Judges at all. Second, there is the description of “following Yahweh.” This can vary as following God or his covenant. Does not occur in Judges. Third, someone’s heart can be “wholly devoted” to Yahweh. Not in Judges, either. There is no language of repentance in Judges 10 (or the rest of Judges).
Still not convinced? How about when Samuel recounts the time of the Judges and describes Israel’s actions during Judges as crying out in anguish and asking God to deliver them “so that we may serve you.” (1Sam 12.10). Some translations say “and we will serve you.” Though the first is the most accurate they all lead you to the same place…rescue us and after that we will serve you… Except they never did. In other words, Samuel is saying they did not repent during Judges 10 (or at any time in Judges). Read Judges closely. They. Never. Repent. They needed to repent. Yet, God was merciful even with their lack of repentance and kept relenting his discipline.
So let’s see if God rejects their words and their actions this time. Let’s take some common translations of the last half of v. 16:
“And he could bear the misery of Israel no longer.” (NASB)
“Finally the LORD grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.” (NET)
“And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.” (NIV)
He did not send another deliverer because he accepted their words. He rejected them the first time – and he still rejects them when continued with hollow actions.
There is NO mention of forgiveness. NONE.
The only reason God sent another deliverer is because he is a God of mercy. He relents concerning judgment all the time…until he no longer does.
You could argue that during the time of Judges, God didn’t cancel Israel, so we shouldn’t “cancel” people today. Israel said words that sounded pretty and even did a few actions that looked pretty. Same for abusive ministers today.
Sure, Israel faced a reprieve. But judgment still comes.
Judgment delayed is not judgment denied.
Judgment delayed is not forgiveness.
I’m spending a lot of time in Kings currently as I work on a commentary. I’m currently in 2Kings and nearing the end of the northern kingdom. Do you know what Kings has reinforced for me so very much? God is merciful even in the face of appalling sin by his people. He relents. He relents. But relenting is not forgiveness. Judgment will come. The northern kingdom learned this. But for NINETEEN kings, Yahweh was merciful and relented.
But relenting ends.
The more I write about Kings the more convinced I am that the current state of the Church and the continual uncovering of abuses — and the continual covering up of abuses – and the minimizing of abuses – and the platforming of people who are not humble and contrite — is coming to an end.
May it come to an end quickly and in my days.
Repentance must include Justice.
The Church’s poor theology of repentance is made poorer by a poor theology of justice. Or, if we’re honest – a fear justice.
Zaccheaus’s repentance included restoring what he stole from people.
David’s repentance of his rape and murder included severe consequences for him and a repentant heart (Ps 51).
Judah’s repentance included choosing to sacrifice himself – to demand nothing for himself – to seek justice (Gen 44)
The Mosaic Covenant is where we learn so much about God’s heart for justice. In all the situations included where someone wrongs someone else, the solution is not words but restoring as fully as possible the person harmed. Justice.
When victims are maligned and attacked – When those calling for justice are maligned and attacked – When people platform and are platformed – there is no justice.
And where there is no justice – there is no repentance.
Justice grieves.
Justice restores what was taken.
Justice gives voice to the wounded.
Justice requires the wounder to restore the wounded.
Read the prophets. Start with Amos. Read it slowly and often.
Read the Mosaic Covenant. Start with Deuteronomy. Read it slowly and often.
JoAnna Hoyt 