"A Michael Glazier book."

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction: Creating space for a theological conversation / Mark J. Boda -- Canonical texts -- Renewal in heart, word, and deed : repentance in the Torah / Mark J. Boda -- Repentance in the former prophets / Terence E. Fretheim -- "Turn back, o people" : repentance in the latter prophets / Carol J. Dempsey -- "May your eyes be open and your ears attentive" : a study of penance and penitence in the writings / Richard J. Bautch -- "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" : repentance in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts / Guy Dale Nave, Jr -- "And I shall heal them" : repentance, turning, and penitence in the Johannine writings / Edith M. Humphrey -- Penitence and repentance in the Epistles / Stanley E. Porter -- Historical perspectives -- Penitence in early Christianity in its historical and theological setting : trajectories from eastern and western sources / Cornelia B. Horn -- Private confession in the German Reformation / Ronald K. Rittgers -- Theological traditions -- "Life in abundance" : Eastern Orthodox perspectives on repentance and confession / John Chryssavgis -- Life as a holy penitent : the Catholic call to conversion / Ralph Del Colle -- A confessing faith : assent and penitence in the Reformation traditions of Luther, Calvin, and Bucer / Andrew Purves -- The penitential : an evangelical perspective / Gordon T. Smith -- Yielding to the spirit : a Pentecostal understanding of penitence / Cheryl Bridges Johns -- Middle eastern perspectives and expressions of Christian repentance/penitence / Wafik Wahba -- Penitence as practiced in African/African American Christian spirituality / Michael Battle -- Reflection -- The summons to new life : a reflection / Walter Brueggemann -- Implications of this book's insights for liturgical practices / Marva J. Dawn -- Conclusion: The jolly penitent : religious leadership and the practice of confession / Gordon T. Smith.