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The Grace of Repentance
When an unknown monk posted a placard of theological points on a church door, he did not know that he would cause a spiritual revolution that would still affect us hundreds of years later. But at the heart of the Reformation lay Martin Luther's great discovery, and a challenge that is still needed Repentance is not the action of a single moment, but a characteristic of a Christian's entire life. Sinclair Ferguson looks at the biblical definition of repentance, how some modern churches are repeating medieval errors, and the necessity of reformation. Whereas current teaching often belittles repentance, Ferguson believes that not only is it essential for salvation, it is the concrete expression of divine regeneration. When we see what we truly are--innately, inescapably sinful--we know our deep need for God's abundant grace. To this Ferguson declares, "According to Scripture, the Christian life is repentance from beginning to end! So long as the believer is at the same time righteous and yet a sinner, it can be no other way."
48 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2000
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223 people want to read
About the author
Sinclair B. Ferguson
218 books557 followersSinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 23, 2024
Short and sweet. The (unexpected) highlight was a diatribe on some of the errors plaguing contemporary evangelicalism and a call for the church to repent in its manner of corporate worship.
January 12, 2023
Short but packed with biblical wisdom. Ferguson starts with Martin Luther’s assertion that repentance is not only a moment at the beginning of the Christian life, but characteristic of the whole life, and helps us see why this is important and biblical. “Repentance is the moral and spiritual equivalent of geographical return” - about both turning back to God and turning away from sin. He explains how repentance can be required for salvation even though we are saved by faith alone rather than purely on the basis of our repentance - a helpful nuance. He also helps us see what true repentance looks like and how we can avoid both proud arrogance and self-pitiful wallowing in sin. I think it’s a real encouragement for Christians at all stages - perhaps young Christians who may find themselves discouraged when sin prevails, as well as for older Christians who can run the risk of believing that repentance is already done with.
It does read a little like an attack on the altar call; but then, that is no bad thing.
It does read a little like an attack on the altar call; but then, that is no bad thing.
October 13, 2019
Reading for Repenting
Sinclair Ferguson’s The Grace of Repentance is a powerful little book (63 pages). It is a book for praying through rather than merely reading through. It will lead you to reflect on your own need for the grace of repentance.
Though written in 2010, Ferguson’s penetrating insights are more relevant today than when he first penned them. Chapter 4, “A Medieval Threat,” warns of “medievalism revived” (40). He warns evangelicals that
Ferguson then provides five pieces of evidence that flesh out his warning:
1. Repentance is seen as an initial emotion, not as a vital part of lifelong restoration of godliness.
2. The practical rule of faith by which Christians live has increasingly been sought in a “spirit–inspired” living voice within the church rather than in the Spirit-inscripturated voice in the Bible.
3. God’s presence was conveyed by an individual who claimed sacred powers and communicated them by physical means.
4. Worship is increasingly becoming a spectator event of visual and sensory power, rather than a verbal event in which we engage in a deep soul dialogue with the Triune God.
5. Ministry growth is measured by crowds and cathedrals (“mega-churches“) rather than by the preaching of the Cross and the quality of Christians’ lives.
Ferguson’s answer is simple: “Once again we need to proclaim the full-orbed doctrine of repentance within an evangelical world that has begun to manifest symptoms of the same medieval sickness.”
Ferguson ends his booklet (Chapter 6, What Shall We Do?) with an extended quote from a group of 17th century ministers in the Church of Scotland who model the grace of repentance for the reader.
Note: Available on Kindle for less than $5.00 at https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004V9...
Sinclair Ferguson’s The Grace of Repentance is a powerful little book (63 pages). It is a book for praying through rather than merely reading through. It will lead you to reflect on your own need for the grace of repentance.
Though written in 2010, Ferguson’s penetrating insights are more relevant today than when he first penned them. Chapter 4, “A Medieval Threat,” warns of “medievalism revived” (40). He warns evangelicals that
there is a medieval darkness encroaching on evangelicalism. Yet sadly, many of its features are welcomed as though they are some fresh light or insight. Thus the possibility of a new “Babylonian (or more accurately, pagan) captivity of the church” looms nearer and larger than we may believe (41).
Ferguson then provides five pieces of evidence that flesh out his warning:
1. Repentance is seen as an initial emotion, not as a vital part of lifelong restoration of godliness.
2. The practical rule of faith by which Christians live has increasingly been sought in a “spirit–inspired” living voice within the church rather than in the Spirit-inscripturated voice in the Bible.
3. God’s presence was conveyed by an individual who claimed sacred powers and communicated them by physical means.
4. Worship is increasingly becoming a spectator event of visual and sensory power, rather than a verbal event in which we engage in a deep soul dialogue with the Triune God.
5. Ministry growth is measured by crowds and cathedrals (“mega-churches“) rather than by the preaching of the Cross and the quality of Christians’ lives.
Ferguson’s answer is simple: “Once again we need to proclaim the full-orbed doctrine of repentance within an evangelical world that has begun to manifest symptoms of the same medieval sickness.”
Ferguson ends his booklet (Chapter 6, What Shall We Do?) with an extended quote from a group of 17th century ministers in the Church of Scotland who model the grace of repentance for the reader.
Note: Available on Kindle for less than $5.00 at https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004V9...
November 27, 2019
Fantastic and concise work by Ferguson. A more appropriate title might have been something along the lines of "A complaint against the pedagogy of the modern church", but nonetheless, the conclusion was one that was steeped in repenting of our current state as a church and in our failures as men and women of God to make all of the counsel of God known. Simple and short enough that anyone might read it.
October 24, 2012
I bought the book because I wanted to learn more about repentance. The beginning was good indeed - few quotes introducing us to Luther and his views of repentance in contrast with the practice of selling pennants, and then a case study of David and his repentance for the murder he committed. So far, so good - that is something that does edify me.
Chapter three however reveals, that this book is in fact not about repentance. It is about modern evangelicalism and all the things that are wrong about it. Now I wouldn't mind reading about that, however I would prefer if the title of the book would reflect it's aim. Nevermind.
What I really cannot accept is the way contemporal evangelicalism is treated. Not on basis of sound biblical analysis or with thorough understanding and superior argumentation. What author feels to be adequate is just stating what things he doesn't like about it without even trying to lay down good evidence. If he does show some it is more or less on level of a general bias based on non relevant case. If he wants to prove that the use of musical instruments during evangelisation is wrong,it is enough for him to tell us that he heard a story about young preacher that told his dad that he has to use an instrument because he doesn't have Holy Spirit.
On one hand he clearly judges personal communication with God to be wrong, on the other he states that worship is just that: "deep soul dialogue with the Triune God". He uses verses torn out of Bible to underline his points without caring to elaborate in what way they are relevant to his point (so when he says that current state of affairs in church is wrong he just throws Rev. 2:4,14,20 in without linking it to specific issues). He accuses contemporal christianity to be shallow and unreasonable, but he himself refrains from reasoning or understanding what he is criticizing.
Good example is how he deals with US revivals - it is just for him to say that they were bad and to add that catholic priests claimed to be able to heal too... so, that does make miraculous healing be bad per se? Has he even tried to consult this very thing with Jesus that never failed to HEAL? We do not know. He doesn't care to elaborate.
In the end it is clear that the introduction only serves as a basis of unbased critique - he introduced medieval church (catholic) only to make quite far-fetched links to contemporal church (charismatical) without working out profoundly the similarities. So the altar call is just another form of pennants, which proves that the church today is wrong... isn't this a bit shallow? In chapter five he is clearly stating that previous text was intended to provoke guilt by exposing to Law - but without confronting his readers to Bible, the law in this case in only his own standard. So he tries to bring about emotions by accusing us to be shallow, child-like, stupid, unable to meditate upon the Word, unable to pray, unwilling to repent of any sin - none of this accusations based on any facts he would present.
Now I do not say that he doesn't make few good points - he does, and I will continue to think about them. That doesn't make his way to deal with thinks right, unfortunately. In the end he commits that which he criticizes: doesn't base his thinking on careful analysis of Bible, resorts to provoking emotions with power of images and not reason, bending his image of that he doesn't like to that of an unreasonable, uneducated child, moaning about his dislikes without being able to be constructive, or at least precise.
Merged review:
I bought the book because I wanted to learn more about repentance. The beginning was good indeed - few quotes introducing us to Luther and his views of repentance in contrast with the practice of selling pennants, and then a case study of David and his repentance for the murder he committed. So far, so good - that is something that does edify me.
Chapter three however reveals, that this book is in fact not about repentance. It is about modern evangelicalism and all the things that are wrong about it. Now I wouldn't mind reading about that, however I would prefer if the title of the book would reflect it's aim. Nevermind.
What I really cannot accept is the way contemporal evangelicalism is treated. Not on basis of sound biblical analysis or with thorough understanding and superior argumentation. What author feels to be adequate is just stating what things he doesn't like about it without even trying to lay down good evidence. If he does show some it is more or less on level of a general bias based on non relevant case. If he wants to prove that the use of musical instruments during evangelisation is wrong,it is enough for him to tell us that he heard a story about young preacher that told his dad that he has to use an instrument because he doesn't have Holy Spirit.
On one hand he clearly judges personal communication with God to be wrong, on the other he states that worship is just that: "deep soul dialogue with the Triune God". He uses verses torn out of Bible to underline his points without caring to elaborate in what way they are relevant to his point (so when he says that current state of affairs in church is wrong he just throws Rev. 2:4,14,20 in without linking it to specific issues). He accuses contemporal christianity to be shallow and unreasonable, but he himself refrains from reasoning or understanding what he is criticizing.
Good example is how he deals with US revivals - it is just for him to say that they were bad and to add that catholic priests claimed to be able to heal too... so, that does make miraculous healing be bad per se? Has he even tried to consult this very thing with Jesus that never failed to HEAL? We do not know. He doesn't care to elaborate.
In the end it is clear that the introduction only serves as a basis of unbased critique - he introduced medieval church (catholic) only to make quite far-fetched links to contemporal church (charismatical) without working out profoundly the similarities. So the altar call is just another form of pennants, which proves that the church today is wrong... isn't this a bit shallow? In chapter five he is clearly stating that previous text was intended to provoke guilt by exposing to Law - but without confronting his readers to Bible, the law in this case in only his own standard. So he tries to bring about emotions by accusing us to be shallow, child-like, stupid, unable to meditate upon the Word, unable to pray, unwilling to repent of any sin - none of this accusations based on any facts he would present.
Now I do not say that he doesn't make few good points - he does, and I will continue to think about them. That doesn't make his way to deal with thinks right, unfortunately. In the end he commits that which he criticizes: doesn't base his thinking on careful analysis of Bible, resorts to provoking emotions with power of images and not reason, bending his image of that he doesn't like to that of an unreasonable, uneducated child, moaning about his dislikes without being able to be constructive, or at least precise.
Chapter three however reveals, that this book is in fact not about repentance. It is about modern evangelicalism and all the things that are wrong about it. Now I wouldn't mind reading about that, however I would prefer if the title of the book would reflect it's aim. Nevermind.
What I really cannot accept is the way contemporal evangelicalism is treated. Not on basis of sound biblical analysis or with thorough understanding and superior argumentation. What author feels to be adequate is just stating what things he doesn't like about it without even trying to lay down good evidence. If he does show some it is more or less on level of a general bias based on non relevant case. If he wants to prove that the use of musical instruments during evangelisation is wrong,it is enough for him to tell us that he heard a story about young preacher that told his dad that he has to use an instrument because he doesn't have Holy Spirit.
On one hand he clearly judges personal communication with God to be wrong, on the other he states that worship is just that: "deep soul dialogue with the Triune God". He uses verses torn out of Bible to underline his points without caring to elaborate in what way they are relevant to his point (so when he says that current state of affairs in church is wrong he just throws Rev. 2:4,14,20 in without linking it to specific issues). He accuses contemporal christianity to be shallow and unreasonable, but he himself refrains from reasoning or understanding what he is criticizing.
Good example is how he deals with US revivals - it is just for him to say that they were bad and to add that catholic priests claimed to be able to heal too... so, that does make miraculous healing be bad per se? Has he even tried to consult this very thing with Jesus that never failed to HEAL? We do not know. He doesn't care to elaborate.
In the end it is clear that the introduction only serves as a basis of unbased critique - he introduced medieval church (catholic) only to make quite far-fetched links to contemporal church (charismatical) without working out profoundly the similarities. So the altar call is just another form of pennants, which proves that the church today is wrong... isn't this a bit shallow? In chapter five he is clearly stating that previous text was intended to provoke guilt by exposing to Law - but without confronting his readers to Bible, the law in this case in only his own standard. So he tries to bring about emotions by accusing us to be shallow, child-like, stupid, unable to meditate upon the Word, unable to pray, unwilling to repent of any sin - none of this accusations based on any facts he would present.
Now I do not say that he doesn't make few good points - he does, and I will continue to think about them. That doesn't make his way to deal with thinks right, unfortunately. In the end he commits that which he criticizes: doesn't base his thinking on careful analysis of Bible, resorts to provoking emotions with power of images and not reason, bending his image of that he doesn't like to that of an unreasonable, uneducated child, moaning about his dislikes without being able to be constructive, or at least precise.
Merged review:
I bought the book because I wanted to learn more about repentance. The beginning was good indeed - few quotes introducing us to Luther and his views of repentance in contrast with the practice of selling pennants, and then a case study of David and his repentance for the murder he committed. So far, so good - that is something that does edify me.
Chapter three however reveals, that this book is in fact not about repentance. It is about modern evangelicalism and all the things that are wrong about it. Now I wouldn't mind reading about that, however I would prefer if the title of the book would reflect it's aim. Nevermind.
What I really cannot accept is the way contemporal evangelicalism is treated. Not on basis of sound biblical analysis or with thorough understanding and superior argumentation. What author feels to be adequate is just stating what things he doesn't like about it without even trying to lay down good evidence. If he does show some it is more or less on level of a general bias based on non relevant case. If he wants to prove that the use of musical instruments during evangelisation is wrong,it is enough for him to tell us that he heard a story about young preacher that told his dad that he has to use an instrument because he doesn't have Holy Spirit.
On one hand he clearly judges personal communication with God to be wrong, on the other he states that worship is just that: "deep soul dialogue with the Triune God". He uses verses torn out of Bible to underline his points without caring to elaborate in what way they are relevant to his point (so when he says that current state of affairs in church is wrong he just throws Rev. 2:4,14,20 in without linking it to specific issues). He accuses contemporal christianity to be shallow and unreasonable, but he himself refrains from reasoning or understanding what he is criticizing.
Good example is how he deals with US revivals - it is just for him to say that they were bad and to add that catholic priests claimed to be able to heal too... so, that does make miraculous healing be bad per se? Has he even tried to consult this very thing with Jesus that never failed to HEAL? We do not know. He doesn't care to elaborate.
In the end it is clear that the introduction only serves as a basis of unbased critique - he introduced medieval church (catholic) only to make quite far-fetched links to contemporal church (charismatical) without working out profoundly the similarities. So the altar call is just another form of pennants, which proves that the church today is wrong... isn't this a bit shallow? In chapter five he is clearly stating that previous text was intended to provoke guilt by exposing to Law - but without confronting his readers to Bible, the law in this case in only his own standard. So he tries to bring about emotions by accusing us to be shallow, child-like, stupid, unable to meditate upon the Word, unable to pray, unwilling to repent of any sin - none of this accusations based on any facts he would present.
Now I do not say that he doesn't make few good points - he does, and I will continue to think about them. That doesn't make his way to deal with thinks right, unfortunately. In the end he commits that which he criticizes: doesn't base his thinking on careful analysis of Bible, resorts to provoking emotions with power of images and not reason, bending his image of that he doesn't like to that of an unreasonable, uneducated child, moaning about his dislikes without being able to be constructive, or at least precise.
June 9, 2022
This very short book (61 small pages) packs a punch. The theme is about how true repentance is lacking in the evangelical church today. The last chapter was especially convicting. There were a few parts that I didn’t understand what the author was saying. The book was written in 2000, and the author references televangelists and the prosperity gospel. I’m not sure that’s the most pressing problem in the church these days, but the basic principles still apply.
September 1, 2018
Apesar de ser um pequeno livreto o conteúdo é muito profundo, o autor trata da questão do verdadeiro arrependimento e traça um paralelo com o evangelicalismo atual nos mostrando onde a igreja tem falhado e nos faz refletir a real importância da constância no arrependimento. Recomendo a leitura.
May 15, 2023
Wonderful little booklet on the topic of repentance. Is it a one and done thing or is it a lifelong act where the believer is constantly, turning from sin, to the grace and mercy of God! I commend this little work by Sinclair Ferguson.
Read
March 27, 2024“Repentance is the moral and spiritual equivalent of that geographical return (from exile). It is made possible only because of God’s covenant mercy.”, p. 16
April 30, 2013
Sinclair Ferguson is always a good read, and I’ve yet to read anything by him that a) I didn’t take a good bit from, and b) I disagreed with entirely.
Yet, this one disappointed in ways that usually his writings don’t. First, he includes an excursus on the problems of televangelistic/prosperity-gospel preaching that, while interesting, seems a bit too off-topic to really fit the book. I can sort of see where he’s coming from there (in terms of how it ties in to his thesis on repentance), but he doesn’t tie it in enough to make me feel like he wasn’t ranting.
Second, like so many others, Ferguson equates “repentance” with sanctification in a manner that I don’t find consistent with Scripture, arguing that, like sanctification (or perhaps as a part of it), repentance is ongoing throughout the Christian life. Yes, I’ll agree that sanctification is based on true repentance, and that it is essential for true salvation — but Scripture portrays the repentance of a converted Christian as a one-time occurrence. So many misunderstandings among Christians today seem to be a confusion between the Gospel and the fruit of the Gospel; in this case, it is confusing repentance with the fruit of it.
There’s still a lot of good reading here, relative to the size of the book; still, I can’t recommend it as I do most of his work.
Yet, this one disappointed in ways that usually his writings don’t. First, he includes an excursus on the problems of televangelistic/prosperity-gospel preaching that, while interesting, seems a bit too off-topic to really fit the book. I can sort of see where he’s coming from there (in terms of how it ties in to his thesis on repentance), but he doesn’t tie it in enough to make me feel like he wasn’t ranting.
Second, like so many others, Ferguson equates “repentance” with sanctification in a manner that I don’t find consistent with Scripture, arguing that, like sanctification (or perhaps as a part of it), repentance is ongoing throughout the Christian life. Yes, I’ll agree that sanctification is based on true repentance, and that it is essential for true salvation — but Scripture portrays the repentance of a converted Christian as a one-time occurrence. So many misunderstandings among Christians today seem to be a confusion between the Gospel and the fruit of the Gospel; in this case, it is confusing repentance with the fruit of it.
There’s still a lot of good reading here, relative to the size of the book; still, I can’t recommend it as I do most of his work.
November 23, 2011
There is grace in repentance. A very clear understanding of what repentance is and what it is not. The spirit of repentance is created by a sense of who God is and by an awareness of the true character of sin. It is a God-centered response, indeed the beginning of true God-centeredness. Turning away from sin and turning back to God belong together. (page 17). There is a difference of a self-centered repentance such as what Judas had and God-centered such as what Peter had. It makes all the difference in the world. It caused Judas his life and soul. Ferguson gives great bibical examples of those that had a heart of true repentance. It comes with great pain and strife but ends with hope and forgiveness and a new life. It is radical, not a passive and my life goes on as usual. We become more aware of the holiness of God, not to fear but to embrace and to say undone is me. We are made for God's glory, repentance heart enables us to find satisfaction in God and enjoy Him and His glory.
February 28, 2024
Re-read: February 2024. Very helpful.
2018: “true repentance can never be reduced to a single act found only at the beginning of the Christian life. It arises in the context of our union with Jesus Christ; and since its goal is our restoration into the image of Christ, it involves the ongoing practical outworking of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection—what Calvin calls mortification and vivification—that is, being conformed to Christ crucified and risen.”
“The idea that it is possible to receive justification without sanctification, to trust in a Savior who does not actually or presently save, to receive a new birth that does not actually give new life, or to have a faith that is not radically repentant despite uniting us to a crucified and risen Christ simply did not find a place in Reformation theology.”
2018: “true repentance can never be reduced to a single act found only at the beginning of the Christian life. It arises in the context of our union with Jesus Christ; and since its goal is our restoration into the image of Christ, it involves the ongoing practical outworking of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection—what Calvin calls mortification and vivification—that is, being conformed to Christ crucified and risen.”
“The idea that it is possible to receive justification without sanctification, to trust in a Savior who does not actually or presently save, to receive a new birth that does not actually give new life, or to have a faith that is not radically repentant despite uniting us to a crucified and risen Christ simply did not find a place in Reformation theology.”
May 2, 2015
This is a helpful book defining the Biblical doctrine of repentance. Ferguson points out that all of life is repentance. It is not healthy (or Biblical) to think of one’s conversion as, “That is when I repented (singular, past-tense action) and became a Christian.” But rather, a Christian needs to see his or her entire Christian life as a life of repentance. The latter half of the book is about the church not preaching Biblical repentance today; Ferguson shows how the modern church (much like the medieval church) has become too focused on being flashy and entertaining people instead of simply preaching the Word of God.
September 29, 2011
This quite possibly could be one of my top books of all time. It is a very short and easy read but with that said it does not lack on content or impact on the life. Ferguson works through how repentance is a continual and daily process not a one time event. With that he also sheds light on the misguided view of repentance and how penance and altar calls are one in the same. I would recommend this to any evangelical, or Christian for that matter, as it was a wealth of information but also vital to my spiritual formation and what God expects of me in respects to repentance.
March 1, 2014
The subject of repentance is a sorely neglected one in evangelical publication. In our biblical counseling ministry I have been looking for a go-to book on the topic and had come up dry until someone pointed me to this little work. Ferguson addresses reasons why we have neglected repentance in our churches and uses texts like Psalm 51 to help the reader understand the continuing role of repentance in the life of the believer. My only criticism is that he did not give more practical counsel for pursuing repentance in everyday life. Otherwise, this is an excellent resource.
March 25, 2020
Dear reader, Jesus Christ started his ministry exhorting people to repent (Mr. 1:15), it is of maximum importance to understand what he meant when he said: 'repent'. If you are not sure what he exactly meant, then this books is for you. And if you do, I would encourage you to read this book to use it as a guide/help to explain to someone what is repentance. In your evangelism you can use his exposition of Psalm 51 to explain how King David repented. You can also use the chapter two to explain the meaning of three greek words that are translated as repentance. Or you can take your friends to a time in history where repentance was misunderstood and Martin Luther and John Calvin made it clear again through the Scriptures.
This book seeks to explain: What is repentance according to the Scriptures?
Is it a specific moment in my life when I ask for forgiveness and accept Christ as my Saviour?
Is it to do a prayer for the forgiveness of my sins every night before I go to bed?
Is it to feel bad or to mourn over something wrong I have done?
Is repentance necessary for the salvation of my soul? and if so, how does it look like?
With the exposition of Sinclair Ferguson all these questions are solved and you will be exhorted to examine yourself and practice biblical repentance.
Completely recommended.
This book seeks to explain: What is repentance according to the Scriptures?
Is it a specific moment in my life when I ask for forgiveness and accept Christ as my Saviour?
Is it to do a prayer for the forgiveness of my sins every night before I go to bed?
Is it to feel bad or to mourn over something wrong I have done?
Is repentance necessary for the salvation of my soul? and if so, how does it look like?
With the exposition of Sinclair Ferguson all these questions are solved and you will be exhorted to examine yourself and practice biblical repentance.
Completely recommended.
May 8, 2017
I suspect that I might be allowing my own theology to bias my review so please take that into account. That said, I was disappointed that the author chose to explain repentance from the "negative" perspective of a turning from sin rather than the "positive" of turning to God.
Additionally, about a 1/4 of the book was a commentary on the sad state of modern Christianity. I bought the the book for commentary but would have preferred to have seen those pages used to drill down further into repentance.
Amazingly enough, as a Wesleyan, I found myself shocked to be a highlighting and taking note of a Calvin quote regarding the 3 part nature of repentance. That quote alone, and where it will lead me, is worth the price of admission.
The book is a quick read and I suspect if you hold to a standard view of the depravity of man then you will find utility in spending an hour with it.
Additionally, about a 1/4 of the book was a commentary on the sad state of modern Christianity. I bought the the book for commentary but would have preferred to have seen those pages used to drill down further into repentance.
Amazingly enough, as a Wesleyan, I found myself shocked to be a highlighting and taking note of a Calvin quote regarding the 3 part nature of repentance. That quote alone, and where it will lead me, is worth the price of admission.
The book is a quick read and I suspect if you hold to a standard view of the depravity of man then you will find utility in spending an hour with it.
December 22, 2021
If I’m honest, I saw a lot of this book to be disheartening. The reasoning is, I feel that many consider modern layers of worship and creativity (much that is evidently God-given) as negative self-praising efforts to exalt emotion. Why this may be true in some cases, I think this text was highly discouraging as someone who appreciates the, “They see us before they hear us,” mentality that draws others in by mere beauty and then shares heart-capturing Gospel messages that inspire the beauty. Not everything has to be so rigid and as it has always been done. With that said, I think the call to true repentance, rather than alter call emotion, is spot on. Altogether a so-so read.
September 13, 2018
Very short, but very packed book. Ferguson does a great job explaining repentance, showing examples from Scripture, and calling us to be people of repentance. He lays out the fact that all of life is to be one of repentance (following Luther's first of his 95 Theses) and then what the repentance looks like and what helps bring it about. This is probably a book that I should go back to yearly (if not more often). Highly recommend this work.
December 31, 2025
*3.5
Ferguson offers good historical analysis and exegesis of the theme of repentance in Scripture as well as Luther's writings in chapters 1-3. I also particularly appreciated the sample Puritan list of confessions concluding chapter 6.
Chapters 4-5 were a critique of modern evangelicalism that felt somewhat shoehorned into the book and frankly needed more space than just a few pages to make the argument well.
Ferguson offers good historical analysis and exegesis of the theme of repentance in Scripture as well as Luther's writings in chapters 1-3. I also particularly appreciated the sample Puritan list of confessions concluding chapter 6.
Chapters 4-5 were a critique of modern evangelicalism that felt somewhat shoehorned into the book and frankly needed more space than just a few pages to make the argument well.
June 8, 2020
4 1/2 Stars
Super solid little book by Sinclair Ferguson. But, I’m sure that’s not surprising give that it’s, well, Sinclair Ferguson. He’s super scriptural and, I mean this as a compliment, he’s dense. You can’t just rush through his books. Well, you COULD I suppose but then you don’t get your moneys worth so to speak. Read slowly, ( it’s a small book anyway) and let it sink in.
Super solid little book by Sinclair Ferguson. But, I’m sure that’s not surprising give that it’s, well, Sinclair Ferguson. He’s super scriptural and, I mean this as a compliment, he’s dense. You can’t just rush through his books. Well, you COULD I suppose but then you don’t get your moneys worth so to speak. Read slowly, ( it’s a small book anyway) and let it sink in.
February 22, 2019
Tremendous read
Nothing to dislike except a personal guilt of failure of knowing how to live a true life of repentance.
This book is a must read. It tells of what is true repentance. How through ignorance the church neglected to teach it. and how to remedy it.
Nothing to dislike except a personal guilt of failure of knowing how to live a true life of repentance.
This book is a must read. It tells of what is true repentance. How through ignorance the church neglected to teach it. and how to remedy it.
December 13, 2019
Good overview
This book is not too long. It covers a broad spectrum of subjects. Nice light read, good starting point to then delve deeper with other writers who go deeper into each topic.
This book is not too long. It covers a broad spectrum of subjects. Nice light read, good starting point to then delve deeper with other writers who go deeper into each topic.
January 29, 2025
Packs a lot of punch into a small book! Great look at our past and present to help our future be focused more on turning our eyes to Jesus in true repentance God’s Word calls us to. Sinclair always brings the heat with truth and challenge!
December 28, 2025
The biblical and historical reformation chapters are excellent. The little book took an interesting turn when Ferguson compared modern evangelism to the medieval church. That chapter was much spicier than I remember Ferguson in his many sermons and books.
October 9, 2017
The book contains solid teaching, but it did not go as deep as I expected.
January 1, 2018
Great little book on repentance with plenty if Biblical and historical references. I found it to be very convicting, which is helpful to me in my Christian walk.
September 22, 2018
A quick, convicting, encouraging read. I don't know a single believer who doesn't need to better understand and practice repentance.
January 2, 2019
Um livreto incrível!
June 5, 2019
This is a deep and thoughtful short work on the necessity, reality, and ultimate grace of repentance. A short read but one that Reformed and Lutheran Christians will find enriching.
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