Regret: A Theology

by Paul J Griffiths

In this brilliant theological essay, Paul J. Griffiths takes the reader through all the stages of regret. To various degrees, all human beings experience regret. In this concise theological grammar, Paul J. Griffiths analyzes this attitude toward the past and distinguishes its various kinds. He examines attitudes encapsulated in the phrase, “I would it were otherwise,” including regret, contrition, remorse, compunction, lament, and repentance. By using literature (especially poetry) and Christian theology, Griffiths shows both what is good about regret and what can be destructive about it. Griffiths argues that on the one hand regret can take the form of remorse―an agony produced by obsessive and ceaseless examination of the errors, sins, and omissions of the past. This kind of regret accomplishes nothing and produces only pain. On the other hand, when regret is coupled with contrition and genuine sorrow for past errors, it has the capacity both to transfigure the past―which is never merely past―and to open the future. Moreover, in thinking about the phenomenon of regret in the context of Christian theology, Griffiths focuses especially on the notion of the LORD’s regret. Is it even reasonable to claim that the LORD regrets? Griffiths shows not only that it is but also that the LORD’s regret should structure how we regret as human beings. Griffiths investigates the work of Henry James, Emily Dickinson, Tomas Tranströmer, Paul Celan, Jane Austen, George Herbert, and Robert Frost to show how regret is not a negative feature of human life but rather is essential for human flourishing and ultimately is to be patterned on the LORD’s regret. A Theology will be of interest to scholars and students of philosophy, theology, and literature, as well as to literate readers who want to understand the phenomenon of regret more deeply.

Genres: Theology

158 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2021

Reviews

[Jon Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The extent to which [repentance] is refused is the extent to which forgiveness isn't received" (122). This is just one of Griffiths' many incisive reflections on the import of "otherwise-attitudes" for Christian life. The book bogs down a bit in poetry readings but is still a succinct and poignant piece of theology.

[Ricky Schille · Rating 2 out of 5]

While informative, the obscure genre makes Griffith's exact argumentation difficult to follow, despite his desire to write to the common man. For one outside the Roman Catholic faith, the fact that he willfully decides not to cite other theologians in his camp that he states he is in dialogue with results in a reading experience akin to walking in on someone talking on the phone; there is little context to understand the full conversation. This can lead to some assertions that would perhaps be better explained if a larger audience was in mind, such as when he states (in a neutral or perhaps even positive tone) that Christian doctrine can lead to anti-Semitic beliefs, without taking any time to explain if he would actually prefer a condemnation of that thought.

Regardless, some of his observations on the nature of regret can be helpful. His summations of other literary works of fiction can, at times, be incredibly beautiful.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While somewhat dense and difficult at first (and not exactly what I had expected) at its heart this book becomes rich, eloquent, even literary in its discussion of the otherwise attitudes--the ways we humans wish that things, particularly things we've done, were otherwise.

[Vinnie Santini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has some very good insights but can be a little difficult to read at points.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Griffiths is weird, mostly in a good way. I’m going to be thinking about this book a lot.