Repentance
Also known as: Teshuvah, Metanoia, Tawbah
Repentance
The act of turning away from sin and returning to God. In all three Abrahamic faiths, repentance is essential for restoring the relationship between humanity and the divine.
The Concept
Repentance involves:
- Recognition of wrongdoing
- Regret or contrition for sin
- Resolve to change behavior
- Return to God and righteousness
The Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic terms all emphasize turning or returning—a fundamental reorientation of one’s life direction.
In Judaism: Teshuvah
Meaning
Teshuvah (תשובה) literally means “return”—returning to God, to one’s true self, to the right path.
Process
Maimonides outlined the steps of repentance:
- Cease the sinful behavior
- Regret the past action
- Confess before God
- Resolve never to repeat it
- When facing the same situation, choose differently
The High Holy Days
The period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur is dedicated to teshuvah:
- Ten Days of Repentance for self-examination
- Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) for communal confession
- God is especially accessible during this time
Types of Sin
- Sins against God require repentance before God
- Sins against others require making amends AND repentance
In Christianity: Metanoia
Meaning
Metanoia (μετάνοια) means a fundamental change of mind and heart—a transformation of one’s entire orientation.
John the Baptist
John preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4), preparing the way for Christ.
Jesus’ Message
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). Repentance is:
- The entry point to the Kingdom
- Made possible by God’s grace
- Accompanied by faith in Christ
- Results in forgiveness and new life
The Prodigal Son
Jesus’ parable (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates repentance:
- The son “came to himself”
- Returned to the father
- Was welcomed with celebration
Ongoing Repentance
Christians understand repentance as both:
- Initial turning to Christ for salvation
- Ongoing practice throughout the Christian life
In Islam: Tawbah
Meaning
Tawbah (توبة) means “to turn back”—returning to God after straying.
Divine Mercy
God is described as At-Tawwab (The Acceptor of Repentance):
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins’” (Quran 39:53)
Conditions
Sincere repentance requires:
- Stopping the sin immediately
- Feeling genuine remorse
- Resolving not to return to it
- If it involves others’ rights, making restitution
God’s Response
- God rejoices over repentance more than a person finding a lost camel in the desert
- Sincere repentance erases sin completely
- God replaces evil deeds with good ones (Quran 25:70)
Ongoing Practice
- Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) is recommended daily
- The Prophet reportedly sought forgiveness 70+ times daily
- Repentance is available until death or the Day of Judgment
Common Themes
All three traditions affirm: