Repent! For the end is near!
Back in the early 1970s folks carrying signs with those words were ubiquitous. You couldn’t go to a concert or sporting event without someone taking advantage of the crowd to preach this message.
The world was in a time of crisis then. The Cold War with the U.S.S.R. The hot war with Viet Nam. Hippies and Straights. Blacks and Whites.
It was a period of our history fraught with fear and uncertainty.
Enter the Apocalyptic religious folks.
They stoked our fear with the threat of Divine destruction looming just over the next hill.
In many ways, all of these fears and threats lead directly to the Jesus Movement of that era.
Times have changed a bit since then.
Although there are still many potentially existential threats in the Wide World, much of the imminent threat has passed.
The idea of “Repentance” has also morphed a bit. It no longer has that feel of immediacy that it once had. Recently, the priest of the church that I attend preached a sermon on repentance. He shared the fairly common trope about how sin can creep into our lives. So, we need to repent of that.
In fairness, the main thrust of the sermon was that God is always, always, always eager and ready to Forgive! But, the underlying text is that we are first sinners in need of forgiveness. So, repent!
While I don’t disagree with this particular take on the topic, I do think that it is sorely lacking.
There is much more nuance and meaning in the simple word “repent” than many consider.
A literal look at the language used in the Biblical text reveals a multivalent meaning.
In Hebrew there are primarily two words that we translate “repent.”
One of them carries the meanings of being sorry or moved to pity or compassion for someone else. In the book of Judges states, “for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.” In this text the Lord was “moved to pity.” That’s how the word was translated.
Another meaning does hold on to the meaning of sorrow for one’s own actions. This would involve suffering grief for things done or not done to or for others and ourselves. That seems to be more in line with our traditional understanding of the word.
The same word can also mean to comfort and console someone.
Another word in the Hebrew text carries the idea of “turning back,” “to return,” or “to withdraw.” The Prophet Isaiah uses it to say, “In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
In the New Testament the language is much the same.
The primary word carries the meanings of changing one’s mind, to have remorse for an action, or to turn about and change direction.
The 1st century Jewish historian, Josephus, gives an example of how this language was used and understood at the time that the New Testament was written.
There was a brigand in Galilee who Josephus went to try and chill. This guy tried to kill Josephus, but the plot failed. So, Josephus got this person aside and he told him,
“that I was not ignorant of the plot which he had contrived against me…; I would, nevertheless, condone his actions if he would show repentance and prove his loyalty to me. All this he promised…”
This use of “repentance” simply meant that the brigand would stop stirring up shit and align himself with Josephus.
So, why do modern preachers and believers jump straight to “Sin” when they think of repentance? What is it that causes good intentioned folks to stand in front of a group of others and say, “You Must Repent!”? I remember back in the days of the commune that I lived in, if anyone said something that countered on of the Elders, the first word out of that Elder’s mouth was “Repent!”
That one word has caused more confusion and fear among good people than it should.
I think that it would be far better if we used language that’s not so bogged down with garbled, theological baggage.
We can use words like “return” or “withdraw” or “change your mind.” These don’t immediately conjure images of a wrathful deity with a finger ready to push the “Smite” button. Using better language may allow folks to actually stop and think. Perhaps, to take stock of what they think and do rather than smacking them upside the head and telling them that they are wrong and had better Repent!
I’m not sure why I wrote all of this. I guess it’s just a vent. After all, this is my blog and I can pretty much say what I want.
But, I think that there are others out there who have a misguided idea of one of religions more misunderstood and loaded words.
If only one reader finds some freedom from this, then I’m good with that.