Metanoia (μετάνοια) is the Greek word that is translated as repentance in the New Testament (NT). It conveys the idea of reconsideration (or consideration); e.g., thinking about something in the midst of new information (meta = amid; noieo = exercise the mind, ie, think).
In the NT, the word is virtually always used to convey the idea of reconsidering one's path in relation to GOD, forsaking that path and returning to his ways. This necessarily always involves the acknowledgement of what separates GOD and man, ie., sin. For example.
This concept got twisted when Jerome translated metanoia in the Vulgate with a Latin word meaning do penance (which is where the word repentance derives from).
Hyper grace doctrine takes the concept of metanoia and twists it to mean framing and focusing on an identity (ie., a mental concept).
IMO, hyper grace doctrine is a modern-day manifestation of the gnostic heresy that appeared in the church almost from its beginning. John refuted several gnostic ideas in his letters to the church. Some gnostic traditions hold that gnosticism began with Simon the sorcerer mentioned in Acts 8:9.
So I did a search for gnosticism + metanoia, and was stunned to find that it is the foundational principle of gnosticism. For example:
So what I'd like to do with this thread is show the similarity between the gnostic and hyper grace concepts of metanoia; they are virtually identical. But I want to do it in a fun way. So as I find new material I'll post a quote from a source and ask the question - Gnosticism or Hyper grace? - and let everyone try to decide. Here's the first:
Gnosticism or Hyper grace?
In the NT, the word is virtually always used to convey the idea of reconsidering one's path in relation to GOD, forsaking that path and returning to his ways. This necessarily always involves the acknowledgement of what separates GOD and man, ie., sin. For example.
Now in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the Judean wilderness and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!” ... And they were baptized in the Jordan by him, acknowledging their sins. Matthew 3:6Matthew 3:1-2
This concept got twisted when Jerome translated metanoia in the Vulgate with a Latin word meaning do penance (which is where the word repentance derives from).
Hyper grace doctrine takes the concept of metanoia and twists it to mean framing and focusing on an identity (ie., a mental concept).
IMO, hyper grace doctrine is a modern-day manifestation of the gnostic heresy that appeared in the church almost from its beginning. John refuted several gnostic ideas in his letters to the church. Some gnostic traditions hold that gnosticism began with Simon the sorcerer mentioned in Acts 8:9.
So I did a search for gnosticism + metanoia, and was stunned to find that it is the foundational principle of gnosticism. For example:
Christ then took a human form (Jesus), to teach humanity how to achieve Gnosis. The ultimate end of all Gnosis is μετάνοια metanoia, or repentance—undoing the sin of material existence [wrong identity] and returning to Pleroma [the fullness of the godhead].
So what I'd like to do with this thread is show the similarity between the gnostic and hyper grace concepts of metanoia; they are virtually identical. But I want to do it in a fun way. So as I find new material I'll post a quote from a source and ask the question - Gnosticism or Hyper grace? - and let everyone try to decide. Here's the first:
Gnosticism or Hyper grace?
When the texts in the Old Testament were eventually translated into English, the Greek word metanoia was translated as ‘repentance’. However, this word actually signifies much more than simply asking for forgiveness of sins. It literally means ‘to change your mind’.... The second coming is the raising of our consciousness to that of the Christ. But, as we make an effort to change our minds, it is expected that, occasionally, we will miss the mark. Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Christ.
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