Early Christians said God's forgiveness is the only remedy for the stain of sin, and they also said the Lord tests repentance the way a seller inspects coins. What do those two ideas together reveal about God's character and intentions? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Early Christians said only God's forgiveness can remove sin, and that the Lord tests our repentance like a seller checks coins. What do those two ideas show us about God?
Cyprian said Christ still receives His murderers, and Tertullian pictured the Father taking back a prodigal son who returns naked. How do those pictures of God's mercy change the way we hear the strict early Christian warnings about repeated sin? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Cyprian said Christ still receives those who killed Him, and Tertullian said the Father takes back the prodigal son. How do these pictures of mercy help us hear the strict warnings about repeated sin?
Early Christians pictured sin as a spiritual leprosy that stains the soul, spreads, and forms open sores. How would that picture shape the way a church talks about sin, and how would it change the way you look at your own sin? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Early Christians saw sin as a leprosy that stains the soul and spreads. How would that idea change the way a church talks about sin, and how you see your own sin?
Jason Willis told an invented story of framing a neighbor so listeners would feel disgust, then pointed out how closely it matched David and Bathsheba. Why does David remain a man after God's own heart, and what does John Chrysostom's account of his repentance teach about that title? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Jason Willis made up a story to make us feel disgust, and it matched what David did with Bathsheba. Why is David still called a man after God's own heart, and what does Chrysostom say about his repentance?
Early Christians taught that baptism washes away only past sins, and that sins after baptism must be cleansed through repentance God tests. Why did this teaching shake Jason Willis so deeply, and what would it mean for your life if it is true? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Early Christians taught that baptism only washes away past sins, and later sins need repentance that God tests. Why did this shake Jason Willis, and what would it mean for you if it is true?
Jason Willis says that after studying repentance he is less certain of his salvation than ever, because the road to life is narrow and few find it. Is that kind of uncertainty good for a Christian, and why would it trouble many believers today? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Jason Willis says he is less sure of his salvation than ever because the road is narrow and few find it. Is that good for a Christian, and why would it bother many believers today?
Jason Willis says early Christians began with ten gallons of repentance that Protestants boiled down to two tablespoons. What is lost when repentance shrinks to changing your mind about what Jesus did, and what would the overflowing version look like in a Christian's life? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Jason Willis says ten gallons of repentance got boiled down to two tablespoons. What do we lose when repentance is only changing our mind about what Jesus did, and what does the full version look like?
Jason Willis spent years using and dealing drugs while praying, studying the Bible, and witnessing to friends, because he believed all his sins were already forgiven. How can a view of grace allow that kind of contradiction, and where might it appear among Christians today? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Jason Willis used and sold drugs for years while praying, reading the Bible, and witnessing, because he thought all his sins were already forgiven. How can a view of grace allow that, and where do we see it today?
Jason Willis says that holding the door open for the man who took your parking spot is an act of repentance. How would seeing daily irritations as moments of repentance change the way you respond to people who cut you off, mock you, or spread gossip about you? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Jason Willis says holding the door for the man who took your parking spot is repentance. If you saw daily annoyances that way, how would you treat people who cut you off, mock you, or gossip about you?
John Chrysostom names humility, confession, forgiving offenses, gratitude in sorrow, mercy in alms and deeds, and perseverance in prayer as means for healing the wounds of sin. Which of these is most missing from your habits, and what concrete step would you take to practice it? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Chrysostom lists humility, confession, forgiving others, gratitude in sorrow, mercy in giving, and steady prayer as ways to heal the wounds of sin. Which one do you lack the most, and what step will you take?
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