'Return To Me': A Biblical Theology of Repentance (New Studies in Biblical Theology, Volume 35)

"Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you," (Zech 1:3 ESV). Repentance concerns the repair of a relationship with God disrupted by human sin. All the major phases of church history have seen diversity and controversy over the doctrine. The first of Luther?s famous ninety-five theses nailed to the church door in Wittenburg in 1517 stated that 'the entire life of believers should be one of repentance'. In recent times, two divisive debates within evangelicalism over 'lordship salvation" and "hypergrace" have had repentance at their core. The theme of repentance is evident in almost every Old and New Testament corpus. However, it has received little sustained attention over the past half-century of scholarship, which has been largely restricted to word studies or focused on a particular text or genre. Studies of the overall theology of the Bible have typically given the theme only passing mention. In response, Mark Boda offers a comprehensive overview of the theological witness of Scripture to the theme of repentance in this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume. The key to understanding is not simply to be found in word studies, but also in the broader meaning of texts as these communicate through a variety of words, images and stories. The importance of repentance in redemptive history is emphasized. It is fundamentally a return to intimate fellowship with the triune God, our Creator and redeemer. This relational return arises from the human heart and impacts attitudes, words and actions. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead. The Theme Of Repentance Is Evident In Almost Every Old And New Testament Corpus. However, It Has Received Little Sustained Attention Over The Past Half-century Of Scholarship, Which Has Been Largely Restricted To Word Studies Or Focused On A Particular Text Or Genre. Studies Of The Overall Theology Of The Bible Have Typically Given The Theme Only Passing Mention. In Response, Mark Boda Offers A Comprehensive Overview Of The Theological Witness Of Scripture To The Theme Of Repentance. The Key To Understanding Is Not Simply To Be Found In Word Studies, But Also In The Broader Meaning Of Texts As These Communicate Through A Variety Of Words, Images And Stories. The Importance Of Repentance In Redemptive History Is Emphasized. It Is Fundamentally A Return To Intimate Fellowship With The Triune God, Our Creator And Redeemer. This Relational Return Arises From The Human Heart And Impacts Attitudes, Words And Actions. -- Back Cover Introduction. Defining Biblical Theology ; Defining Our Biblical-theological Topic ; Past Research On The Biblical Theology Of Repentence -- Repentance In The Torah. Genesis ; Exodus ; Leviticus ; Numbers ; Deuteronomy ; Summary -- Repentance In The Former Prophets. Joshua ; Judges ; Samuel ; Kings ; Summary -- Repentance In The Latter Prophets : Penitential Process -- Repentance In The Latter Prophets : Isaiah. Isaiah 1-39 ; Isaiah 40-55 ; Isaiah 56-66 ; Summary -- Repentance In The Latter Prophets : Jeremiah And Ezekiel. Jeremiah ; Jeremiah 1-23 ; Jeremiah 26-52 ; Ezekiel ; Ezekiel 4-33 ; Ezekiel 33-48 -- Repentance In The Latter Prophets : The Twelve. Hosea ; Joel; Amos ; Jonah ; Micah ; Nahum-zephaniah ; Haggai ; Zechariah ; Malachi ; Summary -- Repentance In The Writings : Wisdom And Worship. Job ; Proverbs ; Psalms ; Summary -- Repentance In The Writings : Exile And Restoration. Lamentations ; Daniel ; Ezra-nehemiah ; Summary -- Repentance In The Writings : Chronicles. David As Exemplary Penitent (1 Chr. 21) ; Solomon As Promoter Of Repentance (2 Chr. 6-7) ; Solomon's Penitential Vision Realized (2 Chr. 10-36) ; Summary -- Repentance In Old Testament Theology. Dimensions Of Repentance ; Motivation Of Repentance ; Purpose Of Repentance ; Sociology Of Repentance ; Psychology Of Repentance ; Divine Disablement ; Divine Enablement ; Repentance In Redemptive History : Exile And Restoration ; Conclusion -- Repentance In The New Testament. Synoptic Gospels And Acts ; Gospel Of John ; Epistles ; Revelationi ; Summary -- Repentance In New Testament Theology. Rpentance In Redemptive History : Restoring The Kingdom ; Dimensions Of Repentance ; Motivation For Repentance ; Purpose Of Repentance ; Sociology Of Repentance ; Psychology Of Repentance ; Divine Disablement ; Divine Enablement ;concluion -- Theological Implications Of Repentance. Beginning The Journey ; Continuing The Journey. Mark J. Boda. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 199-212) And Index. Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Page Contents Series preface Author’s preface Abbreviations 1 Introduction Defining biblical theology Defining our biblical-theological topic Past research on the biblical theology of repentance 2 Repentance in the Torah Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Summary 3 Repentance in the Former Prophets Joshua Judges Samuel Kings Summary 4 Repentance in the Latter Prophets: penitential process 5 Repentance in the Latter Prophets: Isaiah Isaiah 1 – 39 Isaiah 40 – 55 Isaiah 56 – 66 Summary 6 Repentance in the Latter Prophets: Jeremiah and Ezekiel Jeremiah Jeremiah 1 – 23 Jeremiah 26 – 52 Ezekiel Ezekiel 4 – 33 Ezekiel 33 – 48 Summary 7 Repentance in the Latter Prophets: the Twelve Hosea Joel Amos Jonah Micah Nahum-Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Summary 8 Repentance in the Writings: wisdom and worship Job Proverbs Psalms Summary 9 Repentance in the Writings: exile and restoration Lamentations Daniel Ezra-Nehemiah Summary 10 Repentance in the Writings: Chronicles David as exemplary penitent (1 Chr. 21) Solomon as promoter of repentance (2 Chr. 6 – 7) Solomon's penitential vision realized (2 Chr. 10 – 36) Summary 11 Repentance in Old Testament theology Dimensions of repentance Motivation for repentance Purpose of repentance Sociology of repentance Psychology of repentance Divine disablement Divine enablement Repentance in redemptive history: exile and restoration Conclusion 12 Repentance in the New Testament Synoptic Gospels and Acts Gospel of John Epistles Revelation Summary 13 Repentance in New Testament theology Repentance in redemptive history: restoring the kingdom Dimensions of repentance Motivation for repentance Purpose of repentance Sociology of repentance Psychology of repentance Divine disablement Divine enablement Conclusion 14 Theological implications of repentance Beginning the journey Continuing the journey Bibliography Index of authors Index of Scripture references Index of ancient sources Praise for ‘Return To Me’ About the Author More Titles from InterVarsity Press