Zane C. Hodges - Repentance

Repentance

Hodges is known for his rejection of the view of repentance as a "change of mind", holding instead the view that it is a God fearing decision to turn from sin. "Repentance is the decision to turn from sin to avoid, or bring to an end, God's temporal judgment."(p. 57, Harmony with God) Hodges stresses that repentance facilitates faith in Christ, but is not a condition for eternal salvation, nor is it part of faith itself. "It is one thing to say that repentance facilitates faith in Christ--the Bible teaches that. It is quite another thing to say that repentance is a requirement for eternal life. That the Bible does not teach." (p. 93, Harmony with God)

Initially in Hodges' book Absolutely Free! and later in more detail in his book, Harmony With God Hodges took the position that the process of repentance may be a preparatory step in coming to salvation, and should be evident in the life of a believer, but eternal life is received by believing in Jesus, not by turning from sin. Hodges points out that the gospel of John, the only book of the Bible written to lead the unsaved to Christ never once uses the term "repentance", which is telling given the frequent use of the term "repentance" by the same author in the book of Revelation. In Harmony with God Hodges said there is only one answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Hodges emphatically stated, “ answer said absolutely nothing about repentance. Instead they gave the famous and simple reply "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).”