Repentance and the Right to Forgiveness adds the voice of rights theory to contemporary discussions on forgiveness. Rights have been excluded for two related reasons: first, forgiveness is often framed as “a gift” to wrongdoers; and second, rights suggest that victims are obligated in certain cases to forgive their wrongdoers. Such an obligation is often considered repugnant, for it unjustifiably wrongs (i.e., victimizes) victims, while benefiting wrongdoers. Repentance and the Right to Forgiveness overcomes this repugnancy by utilizing the moral theory of eirenéism to craft a rights-based theory of justice grounded in the inherent worth and intimate moral relationships between victims, wrongdoers, and their social community, in order to show that the particular needs of victims make the obligation to forgive self-beneficial while also promoting a peaceful state of just flourishing.

Reconciliation is at the heart of the Christian faith. It is what God accomplishes by the incarnation of his Son, by Jesus’ cross, resurrection, and exaltation: that all people be drawn to God in Christ, and, in being so drawn, drawn into fellowship with one another. The good news of reconciliation is, therefore, also a call to repent and to receive forgiveness, and then, concomitantly, to forgive. The present volume endeavors to reexamine these most fundamental Christian claims. These essays, which were first presented at the 2017 annual Pro Ecclesia conference, return to the biblical sources to help us understand reconciliation afresh. The authors raise questions about repentance and forgiveness from various perspectives: Jewish, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. They also consider our present-day context, what has been called the “technoculture,” as well as the practice of repentance and forgiveness. With contributions by: Stephen Westerholm Ellen T. Charry Dominic Langevin, O. P. Peter C. Bouteneff Brent Waters John P. Burgess

This book explores the central function of the concept "repentance" in the narrative structure and implied social world of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, and provides an excellent synthesis and analysis of the usage of "repent" and "repentance" in Classical, Hellenistic, Hellenistic Jewish, and early Christian literature. Paperback edition is available from the Society of Biblical Literature (www.sbl-site.org)

Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus's ministry with the summary words, ""μετανοεῖτε (repent/turn), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"" (3:2; 4:17). Why does Matthew use this command, μετανοεῖτε, at the beginning of his ministry, and how does it relate to the rest of the Gospel? What do μετανοέω and μετάνοια mean? Scholars have stated that μετανοέω in 4:17 has critical value for understanding Matthew because the verse functions as a summary statement (or key phrase) of Jesus's public ministry and teaching. This book argues the thematic significance of μετάνοια (turning/repentance) in the Gospel of Matthew. The lexical idea of μετανοέω and μετάνοια involves a turning of mind (or heart, will, thinking) and behavior, and so in turn of one's whole being and life. This opening commandment of turning (μετανοέω), especially the concept, the essence, and the contents is fully revealed throughout the body of Matthew in various ways. Discipleship, the language of righteousness, doing the will of God, changing one's heart and mind, the Great Commission, and Matthean soteriological theme convey the essence of μετάνοια and the contents of the fruit worthy of μετάνοια(3:2, 8; 4:17). The five major teaching blocks (5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25) teach the theme and the content of μετάνοια.

Master singer-storyteller John Michael Talbot’s concert meditations—heard and appreciated by millions of concert-goers over the last half-century—are now available in this unique volume. This collection of parables and stories reveals Talbot’s mystical, monastic heart and gives him an opportunity to present the Christian faith in holy and ordinary language. As John Michael Talbot’s music became more popular over the years, he began to immerse himself in the teachings of the contemplatives, mystics, and monastic fathers and mothers of the Christian tradition. In time he began to share some of that teaching with his audiences between songs during concerts and during retreats, parish missions, and diocesan conventions. While on stage, this Grammy-winning contemporary Christian music pioneer is known as much for his stories between songs as he is for his playing and singing. Fans of Talbot—the founder and spiritual father of an integrated monastic community—will savor his wise reflections on the mystery of the Trinity, the intimate love of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount as the heart of Christian teaching, and the need to find what he calls our own “inner room” for prayer and contemplation. Lessons from a Troubadour gathers this material into book form for the first time. Talbot’s words open an important window into understanding the Catholic faith. Both inspiring and practical, you’ll find ways to apply it to your daily life as well.

A theological reflection on churches repenting of events and convictions they have held in the past.

There is no consensus about what someone who has violated society's rules must do in order to be fully restored to the community. Although repentance is a prominent idea in religions ranging from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to Buddhism and Hinduism, its use in civic culture is vague and inconsistent. For example, is remorse the same as repentance? Drawing from a variety of religious and civic perspectives, the renowned contributors to this book_from the fields of theology, philosophy, and the social sciences_offer a broad understanding of repentance and its many applications. The essays question the legitimacy of repentance as a religious concept for the civic culture, exploring the way in which the religious origins of repentance might both illuminate and facilitate our civic usage of the idea. Excellent for theologians, philosophers, moral ethicists, and anyone asking, ' Who deserves a second chance?'

Balancing the Scales of Justice with Forgiveness and Repentance will teach you how to forgive the actions of others, eventually leading you to the ultimate reconciliation and a renewed relationship. Author Randall J. Cecrle was involved in lay prison ministry for over fifteen years, and brings a wealth of experience and inspirational anecdotes to guide you from anger and bitterness to love and peace. With verses from Scripture and real-life examples, Cecrle demonstrates how to forgive those who have hurt you. Learn how to make changes in your life so you can avoid hurting others and become a positive influence. Cecrle also teaches you the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation-forgiveness is not forgetting, it is not about the painful emotions going away, and it is not conditional on an apology from the offender. In the final chapters, Cecrle discusses repentance, trustworthiness, whether or not we are a product of our environment, and how to change our thoughts, words, and actions. Just as it takes two to create a conflict, all parties involved must also be willing to take steps toward a peaceful resolution. Balancing the Scales of Justice with Forgiveness and Repentance will shepherd you on a spiritual journey toward reconciliation.

'The Philosophy of Forgiveness, Volume III: Forgiveness in World Religions' is a collection of essays that explores the philosophy of forgiveness in different religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Each chapter scours one of these religions for insights on the concept of forgiveness, asking questions such as whether forgiveness is a virtue, whether it is conditional, whether God has standing to forgive, and whether it is permissible not to forgive some extreme wrongs. In some of the chapters, the concept of forgiveness in one religion is compared with that in another. In other chapters, the ideas of different traditions within a religion are compared and contrasted. Also, some chapters compare a religious concept to the views of a philosophical figure, such as Aristotle, Kant, or Derrida. The contributors to the volume come from various cultural and religious backgrounds and from different disciplines, such as philosophy, religious studies, and psychology. The collection is written for scholars, graduate students, and upper-division undergraduate students interested in forgiveness or comparative religious philosophy.