Repentance (Christianity)

"Repentance (theology)" redirects here. For repentance in the theology of other religions, see Repentance.

Close up of a 17th-century depiction of the 28 articles of the Augsburg Confession by Wenceslas Hollar

Repentance is a theological term that describes a stage in Christian salvation where the believer turns away from sin. As a distinct stage in the ordo salutis its position is disputed, with some theological traditions arguing it occurs prior to faith and the Reformed theological tradition arguing it occurs after faith. In Roman Catholic theology repentance is part of the larger theological concept of penance. Generally in the Old Testament the term repentance comes from the Hebrew word group that means "turn away from." Sometimes this word group is employed to request a turning from sinful activity (Jeremiah 8:6). In the New Testament the metanoeo word group can mean remorse but is generally translated as a turning away from sin (Matthew 3:2). Theologically 'repentance', the turning away from sin is linked to a corresponding turn to faith in God.