The Way of Repentance: Embracing God's Gift for a Transformed Life

by Chris Brauns

How Grieving Your Sin Brings Abiding Joy―A Practical Guide to Biblical Repentance

People don’t usually associate the word “repentance” with happiness, but Scripture says it’s cause for celebration. Angels rejoice over sinners who repent. A once heartbroken father threw a party for his prodigal son. True repentance is “coming home” to find joy in God. Why do so many people today view it as a burden?
 
Pastor Chris Brauns explains that deep, abiding gladness comes when we grieve sin and turn toward Jesus. This thorough study of repentance examines the Old and New Testaments as well as the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It is made practical with reflection questions, prayers, and advice for daily sanctification. As readers apply biblical principles, they will experience life-giving joy in their spiritual lives and restoration in their relationships.

Practical  Personal stories, reflection questions, short prayers, and advice help readers live out the doctrine of repentanceFosters Ongoing Growth and  Urges readers to turn their hearts, minds, and wills away from sin and toward Jesus for faith that bears fruit Biblical  Great for readers who want to experience personal spiritual growth as well as restoration in their relationshipsBiblical and Pastoral  An accessible resource for pastors and counselors to use in motivating and equipping counseleesFeatures a Foreword by Rosaria Butterfield

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction, Counselling, Discipleship

264 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Repentance is a word that has strangely evaporated from many evangelical churches. The word all but disappeared from mainline churches decades ago. But the notion of repentance is biblical and needs to be revived. The Way of Repentance: Embracing God’s Gift for a Transformed Life by Chris Brauns argues that people need to read about repentance for joy. He simply says, “We repent for joy.” That’s quite a way to begin a book. After diving deeply into this book for several hours, I can testify that the author keeps his word — for this is truly a book designed to spark joy in the hearts of
people.

Part 1: Repentance Unto Life

Part one establishes the ground rules and biblical parameters for repentance. A definition is provided at the outset, namely - “Repentance means turning from unbelief to belief in Jesus.” This 180 degree turn moves from rebellion to submission as sinners cast all their hope in Christ which results in spiritual fruit. Dr. Brauns clarifies the definition of repentance by answering some fundamental questions that probe deeply into the human soul and the biblical text. These questions and answers alone are worth the price of the book.

Part 2: The Life of Repentance

Part two moves from the explanation of repentance to life application. Brauns demonstrates how repentance appears in the Christian life and cites numerous examples. Critical to this discussion is the idea that repentance must be an ongoing feature of the Christian life. The author adds:

All of us battle certain sinful tendencies throughout our lives. And the way we
fight sin is through an ongoing pattern of considering Jesus in his word, being
convicted by the Holy Spirit of the ugliness of our sin, and, in response, repent-
ing and returning in faith to the beauty of Christ.

Brauns repeatedly notes how repentance is integrally tied to the Word of God and subjection to the means of grace. In the end, Christians are called to be a gospel people; to preach the gospel to themselves as they commit to a lifestyle of ongoing repentance.

Biblical models of repentance are included which prove helpful, especially fo new believers. And guidelines are offered, which enable readers to check their progress as they walk down the path of repentance.

Summary

The Way of Repentance is a much-needed work that will drive Christians to their knees. The author makes his case that “we repent for joy.” He does it in a winsome way. But more importantly, he does it in a biblical way. I heartily commend this book and trust that it will receive a wide readership.

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book on repentance. It spurred me on in my own fight against sin; it gave me hope for others I counsel; it reminded me of the wonders of God’s mercy.
Highly commend

[Summr writs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read. Buy as a stocking stuffer for everyone you know.

[Eric Durso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Need more people to read this.

[Ashley Glassick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read multiple excellent Christian books this year (see my reviews on David Gibson), but this was my favorite! I loved that it was both practical and theologically precise. I gained a better understanding of what repentance should look like, along with action steps I can take tomorrow to "live a life of repentance." I find that many Christian books written for lay people like myself are heavy on either theology or practical application but light on the other.

A few highlights:

-Repentance = Joy. I had never really connected the two.
-A strong emphasis on the means of grace, the local church, and the importance of good pastors or elders. I have read entire books on Christian growth that hardly mention the local church. Braun clearly respects and values the church and its leaders, while also acknowledging that it will never be perfect.
-Experience in counseling: It was clear to me that Braun has spent years counseling people caught in sin. He shares so many different examples that every reader is bound to find themselves in at least one. He's a pastor, but he writes like a seasoned counselor.
-He addresses questions readers are likely to have, probably because he has likely heard them before.
-Godly vs. worldly sorrow: He draws on multiple examples from Scripture, and I found his explanation of Judah particularly helpful.
-His chapters on how to repent and how to receive repentance are of great practical value, and I will be revisiting them.
-Clarity with nuance. Though he is clear, he also acknowledges that the way forward isn't always obvious and requires much wisdom and discernment.

Any reader is likely to be challenged in a good way. I repeatedly asked myself, "Am I living a life of repentance?" and "Am I demonstrating true repentance, or do I just not like the consequences?"

I heartily recommend to all!

[Peter LeDuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A thoroughly biblical and invaluable resource filled with much-needed reminders and edifying remedies to our modern culture.

[Mackenzie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will definitely read again.

[Taylor White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this at leadership weekend at Christ Cov(!!!) It’s a must read.

[Nick Lees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend both this book and his previous one, Unpacking Forgiveness. They are excellent and thorough teachings on these topics from the scriptures.

[Bev Kimmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. So thought provoking with solid Biblical content. I am going through this again because i want to absorb as much as possible. I would give it 10 stars if possible!!

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book! This is a follow up to his book Unpacking Forgiveness. Both books are must reads for Christians. Get them both read them together and you will be able to understand the Christian life so much better. There is so much poor unbiblical teaching out there, and this book corrects it. Very well done

[Rachel Feldpausch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To repent is to go home to a place we’ve never been before.”

“Having repented and believed, we will echo C.S. Lewis’s words: ‘I have come home at last ! This is my real country ! I belong here. This is the land we have been looking for all our lives though we never knew it till now…. Come further up, come further in.’”

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very best I’ve read on the topic, thus far at least. I really dig how pastoral Brauns is throughout. Highly recommend.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m grateful to be in ministries where repentance is taught well and still gained so much from this book.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clear, gracious, and biblical examination of repentance. I will definitely be reading this again!

[Elizabeth Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! Soooo encouraging, convicting and a solid book to read and meditate on!! 🙌
The life of repentance is a daily life discipline.

[Nate Cure · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that would be beneficial for anyone to read, but especially helpful for those near the beginning of the Christian life.

[Sean Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. A great mix of theology and practise.

[Shonsee Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The question is ‘Why read a book about repentance?’ And the answer is ‘For joy.’ For deep and abiding gladness.”

My main takeaway from The Way of Repentance is that while repentance does take effort on our part, it also is a gift that we receive from God, and when we accept it, there is true joy! Grief comes first and then the most blissful joy.

This book address topics like what repentance is and why we need to repent, how to evaluate repentance, how to declare your repentance, and how to receive the repentant.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brauns introduces his important (and I mean it--is there anything of more importance in one's entire world than repentance?) topic in an interesting manner: with 10 True/False questions. The answers to these questions are explained in the ten chapters of the book.

1. Repentance can happen in an instant.
2. Joy should motivate one to repent.
3. In contrast with faith or believing in Jesus for salvation, repentance is a work we perform rather than a gift we receive.
4. Fear should motivate one to repent.
5. Those who repent and believe are forgiven of their son once and for all and need not repent of their sins on a regular basis.
6. Repentance takes place in the context of grief.
7. We must work out our repentance.
8. Genuine repentance is easily distinguished from counterfeit repentance.
9. Given that our sin is fundamentally against God, we need not express repentance and ask forgiveness of someone we have offended.
10. Where grave offenses are concerned, Christians should immediately and unconditionally receive the person who expresses repentance.

These are great questions to think about, and Brauns answers them ably and pastorally. Although he is not a presbyterian, he relies on the beautiful words of the Westminster standards regarding repentance unto life. He also critiques appropriately the Roman approach to "repentance."

This is a book that any believer could read profitably and repeatedly.

(In case you're wondering, 3,5,8,9, and 10 are false, while 1,2,4,6,and 7 are true.)

[Chuck Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that explains biblical repentance from Scripture while showing that the chief motivation is joy. Similar to his book Unpacking Forgiveness, Chris Brauns opens with a quiz that challenges what many have been taught about repentance, then spends the rest of the book making a compelling biblical case that repentance is a joy-motivated, God-given, saving grace we are called to embrace, evaluate rightly, and think biblically about.

I especially enjoyed the chapters going deeper into the responses of Judah and Reuben, examined in light of 2 Corinthians 7, as well as the impactful case made for the church community to actively aid in the process of repentance for the benefit of all parties involved. The clarity with which repentance is unpacked throughout this book is a testament to Chris Brauns' diligent study of Scripture, as every claim is grounded in biblical examples and references rather than mere opinion or tradition.

This is a book I highly recommend to anyone who wants to see how the Bible defines, calls for, and shapes genuine repentance. Read it alongside Unpacking Forgiveness and you will have a rich, Scripture-saturated foundation for two of the most important and often misunderstood graces in the Christian life.

[kyleesreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 The Way of Repentance by Chris Brauns

“Repentance is the way into the Christian life. And it is also the way of the Christian life, as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” 🤎

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the second Chris Brauns book I’ve read and he has become a new favorite Christian author. Such an encouraging book on repentance describing why repentance is so joyous and life changing! I love the Bible stories explored and practical wisdom he shares.

*❗️: Suitable for all ages but some heavy themes and life examples shared

*my personal opinion

#kyleesreads #thewayofrepentance #chrisbrauns #christiannonfiction

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Chris Braun's Unpacking Forgiveness and so I was intrigued when I listened to Braun speak about his new book on the podcast "Life, Books, and Everything". Although benefiting from an older work like Thomas Watson's Doctrine of Repentance I had yet to find an accessible book on repentance that I could use in pastoral ministry. In The Way of Repentance I've found the book that I've been looking for.

This book is practical, accessible, biblical, and grounded in the wisdom of the Reformation tradition. The book also does a good job highlighting some of the common ways we hedge on repentance and what godly repentance should ordinarily look like.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Way of Repentance, Brauns helps believers move beyond an understanding of repentance as a trite “sorry." Brauns instead frames repentance as a deliberate and consistent process of reconciliation that is primarily relational rather than transactional.

There is a fairly readable book, and I think there’s a lot to get out of it, both for new and long-time Christ followers. As we consider how we seek forgiveness and correct wrongdoing, both with God and with others, this book offers a Scriptural framework for reflection and practical applications.

[Michael Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’ve gotten to the point with books like this where 90% going to be really solid with some impactful take aways. But then there’s 10% wonky christian application that’s always a bit of a distraction. If you can sift through that, there’s a lot of good here and could be a great book to go through with someone 1:1.

[JT Goodart · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of good theology and framework around repentance. There’s a lot that I really loved and was encouraged by in this book. I think this book would be great for pastors, families, and friends trying to understand the basics of repentance. I do, however, think this book would not be as helpful for someone who themselves is trying to walk through repentance in the moment.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable, digestible, and excellent volume! I highly recommend this for any Christian. With questions at the end of each chapter, it would be a great resource for a small group to read through and discuss.

[Drew French · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated his consistent biblical sufficiency and church-centered vision of repentance. His two chapters on discerning true and false repentance will make a good stand alone resource. His fictitious letter of false repentance from the prodigal son was very helpful as well.

[Ryanne Molinari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and accessible work on a crucial topic!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but I do not agree with several of his quoted and recommended authors. In particular I would avoid Eugene Peterson & Tim Keller.