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Encounter Messages  /  The Shepherd of Hermas: Hope for Repentance  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 7
In The Shepherd of Hermas, repentance is pictured as trimming that costs a stone part of itself, and some stones reach the point where the thought of repenting no longer enters their hearts. How does that compare with the way repentance is often talked about in modern Christianity?
Another way to ask: Repentance is shown as trimming that costs a stone part of itself, and some stones stop even thinking about repenting. How does this compare with the way Christians today often talk about repentance?

Direct Answer

The transcript does not describe modern teaching on repentance, so the comparison is left to the group. Its own picture shows repentance as costly work that God does in a person, and as something a person can finally give up on.

Support from the Message

- Tom Kruger says the book is really all about repentance and shows what repentance meant to early Christians. - Repentance is pictured as trimming, and the stone loses part of itself. - God is called the giver of repentance, and he holds out much hope for his people. - The stones in the fire "completely rebelled against the living God," and the thought of repenting no longer enters their heart. They have given up on repentance completely.

Discussion Follow-up

Does the way your church speaks about repentance include its cost? What is the danger of treating repentance as a small thing that can always wait until later?

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