What Is Repentance?

Crucial Questions #18

by R.C. Sproul

All people have sinned and broken God’s law. None of us are good (Rom. 3:10). And as a result of our sin, God commands us to repent. But what does repentance look like?

In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul looks at several people in the Bible and how they give us a model of repentance. Dr. Sproul explains that true repentance is not simply a religious ritual or the resolve to do better next time. Rather, it’s a spiritual conversion in which we turn from our sin and to God in faith.

The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Faith

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2019

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Tristan Oestreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short book (37 pages), but I liked it a lot since it got straight to the point and answered a question that I had almost never thought about: Is repentance an act of man, a gift from God, or both?

[Ethan Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short read but very good read by Sproul. A few quotes that stood out to me: “God is pleased to clean us up when He finds us in the dirt.” “I stand before you as a broken man, and the only way I can go on is if You heal me and return joy and gladness to me.” “David knows that he’s incapable of removing the stain of his guilt from himself. He cannot make up for it. We must join David in acknowledging that we cannot atone for our own sins.” “We may be tempted to think of repentance merely in terms of forgiveness, but it is also about cleansing. We are corrupt, and we must be made clean.” “The call to repentance is a call to return, a call to go back home”

I think those sum up the human condition very well, we’re incapable of good, but God in his loving mercy cleans us up. Highly recommend this book for any believer or nonbeliever to pick up to learn more about the Gospel and who God is and why we need Christ.

[Sebastián Ramírez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los fundamentos que hay que conocer respecto al arrepentimiento

Claro, preciso, breve, pero a la vez profundo.
Es un imperdible y un libro que debe ser revisado constantemente, ya que el arrepentimiento es algo a lo que debemos acudir constantemente en nuestras vidas.
El profesor Sproul nos aconseja también a aprendernos. El Salmo 51 como una forma de tenerlo en nuestra memoria y así arrepentirnos con esta hermosa oración en momentos de súplica al Señor.
Además deja en claro esta gran verdad: el arrepentimiento es una obra de Dios, imposible de provocar por nosotros mismos.

[Rene · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But God,” are two of the most glorious words in the entire Bible. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ”
This is the key point on the structure of this booklet, very nice definition of the concepts within repentance

[Alesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well it wouldn’t be the end of the year without me reading some Crucial Questions books by RC Sproul to reach my goodreads goal! 😂 This is an excellent and short book on repentance by one of my favorite theologians! I think this book would be especially helpful for those who may not already know what true repentance is/should look like. I loved how RC used scripture as the basis for what he said, and I think the passages he chose to explain (mainly Psalm 51 and Ephesians 2) were great choices. Would definitely recommend this one!!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 Reading Challenge - A book with 100 pages of less

[Collin Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and concise summary of true repentance. Every Christian would benefit from this short read.

[eduarda · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5)

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and concise yet beautiful answer as to what repentance actually is and just how important it is for anyone who professes to call themselves a Christian.

[Rodrigo Lira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leitura simples, agradável e muito instrutiva sobre um tema fundamental da fé cristã.

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny volume cannot really be called a “book.” it is really more like a pamphlet. But don’t neglect this work because of its diminutive size; rather, look on it as an opportunity to study an important topic quickly. There was no one like RC Sproul who could distill a complex theological topic and make it understandable and memorable.

I especially appreciated Sproul’s short exposition of Psalm 51, and Ephesians 2 as those passages relate to the concept of true repentance. This tiny volume could be extremely helpful in clarifying your thinking on what true repentance looks like. Read it, understand it, and apply it. Happy reading!

[Emery Gesell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, practical book on repentance. I appreciate the repentance model breakdown of Psalm 51 and how we can utilize scripture to give us words in repentance. Sproul stressed that we as humans so frequently fail at repentance because of our thinking that we can do it on our own, rather than through acknowledging and submitting to the fact that our hearts our molded and shaped only through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. I wish that Sproul expanded upon the circular relationship between regeneration and repentance in our salvation, that each cannot come without the other, but overall I feel like this short book accomplished what it had hoped to!

[CalebA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read with some great reflections.

Sproul reveals the history of repentance and asks us as protestants how we will repent today. Seems to be a dying practice when you compare to Israel and the Psalms, etc. He recognizes God as the only one who can produce repentance in your heart.

This read is short and reminds of another book by Thomas Watson called "The Doctrine of Repentance". Watson's book is much more thorough and exploratory. If I'd recommend one of these books to a friend I'd choose Watson hands down.

[Brianna Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book was an easy read and a clear explanation of what repentance looks like. He dives into the Greek meaning of repentance and how it is the changing of one’s mind. It’s not simply behavior modification, but a 180degree turn in one’s thinking. One no longer lives for themselves, but lives for Christ. Something happens deep in a persons heart during conversion that causes them to repent. I always find that RC sproul spells things out clearly and I appreciate his works. Highly recommend this book.

[Richard Roodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but very clear

In this short booklet R.C. Sproul explains in clear terms, with everyday analogies even young readers can relate to, what true repentance from sin to God means and looks like. A great primer for anyone seeking to know more about the Christian faith, or to help explain why repentance is more than just "saying a prayer" or having nice feelings.

[Brian Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise & Clear AKA Classic RC Sproul

This book was an easy read on repentance. The ideas were clearly articulated and sensible. I recommend this to new believers and veteran believers. Repentance—true Godly sorrow—is the hinge on which a move of God works inside our lives. This book will help you along the way.

[Evan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read (or more accurately audiobook listen) for a long drive. Thoughtful view on the Christian life and the Lord’s work in drawing people to repentance. Only downfall is that the audiobook reader for Christianaudio is pretty monotone and can be boring. If not for the content I would not have continued to listen.

[mettie foglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is not a how to, but a great overview of it's meaning and deptb

This is a very thorough little booklet on the importance of repentance through the Old and New Testaments. I thought it was going to be a little more about how to repent...I understand the idea and depth of the meaning now, and it is helpful none the less.

[Hunter Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great summary of the Christian doctrine of repentance. I agree with Dr. Sproul’s conclusions. However, Dr. Sproul seemed to have jumped from the Old Testament cultic rituals to “conversion” without closely connecting the two. This left me curious. Overall, this is a great summary and I recommend reading it.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Study on a Necessary Topic

Repentance is something we aren't hearing much about in many churches today, yet it's so important in a Christian's life. I highly recommend this short booklet if you'd like to have a better understanding of repentance. It's clear, thorough, and doesn't take too much time to read.

[Albert L Schaubel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Repentance

Dr. Spoil begins with the need for repentance both for salvation and for Christian living. He explains the meaning and the historical root use of the word and its implications. He then takes us to Psalm 51 and verse by verse reveals the steps and results of repentance.

[Joshua Saliutama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and insightful

An amazingly concise book about repentance. Deals with primary verses such as Psalm 51 and Ephesians 2. The book is also easy to read, full of illustrations and metaphors to help the readers understand the concept of repentance.

[Rocky Henriques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based primarily on Psalm 51...

This is a very solid treatment of an essential Biblical doctrine. Dr. Sproul's little books offered for free on Amazon are well worth the time to read them.

[john wesonga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the read

Cuts right to the heart of repentance and does a biblical exposition of what it means. A good book to have not just for a mature believer but also for those young to the faith who struggle with such questions.

[Esteban Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise work about repentance.

I would recommended this concise book to anyone who’s interested to learn about repentance. R.C. Sproul walks you through the Old Testament to the New Testament and it ends with the gospel. Great!

[Isaac Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro!

Este libro es el claro complemento de lo que significa nacer de nuevo. Explica el Salmo 51 y muestra realmente que es obligatorio nacer de nuevo para luego arrepentirnos, no antes.

[Shom Romain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and profound breakdown of the meaning of Repentance

If you've ever wondered what repentance is all about, why is necessary or even how to go about it, this short and effective read is for you.

[Bill Wisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding in every way.

Clearly written and easy to conceive and believe. Repentance is one of the most important and least understood principles of the Christian life. This booklet is a must-read.

[Jennifer Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly written

This is the first RC Sproul book I have read. I enjoy the style.. clear, succinct and using lots of Scripture. I loved that he uses one of my faves (Psalm 51) as a guide for this book.