Book Review: The Feasts of Repentance by Michael J Ovey

What comes to mind when you hear the word, repentance? Hopefully, if you are a Christian, you think about turning from your sins as you ask God for forgive you disobedience. Many Christians, sadly, do not even believe in repentance. They think it is an extra biblical teaching. Some Christians think that repentance is a one time deal that only comes when you put your faith in Jesus.

Michael J. Ovey takes us through the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts to show us where the Bible talks about repentance in a book titled, The Feasts of Repentance. This book is the latest in the "New Studies in Biblical Theology," which is edited by D.A. Carson and published by InterVaristy Press. This book is from a series a lectures from a conference back in 2013 where Ovey addressed the Bible's emphasis on repentance. Ovey passed from this life to the next in 2017 before this book was even considered to be published.

In the book, we see that repentance was indeed the call in the gospel message. We saw that in the message of John The Baptist just before the public ministry of Jesus. Of course Jesus addressed repentance Himself as He began His public ministry. Ovey showed us, from the pages of the Bible, what repentance looked like and what is didn't look like. Ovey used the example of Zacchaeus as a means to show true repentance. He was a tax collector who took stole money from people so that he could make a profit. He wanted to return what he stole four times the amount and even give half of his possessions. Ovey used the Pharisees as the example of unrepentance because they were driven by greed and pride.

Ovey continues to show that our repentance is evidence of our regeneration as demonstrated with Zacchaeus. If we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we are a repentant people. Repentance is not a one time deal as we walk in this life with the Spirit guiding us. There will time we fail, but the Spirit is there to convict us of sin so that we can repent of it.

There are many good things in the book about what repentance is and what is not. This is the first book in the "New Studies in Biblical Theology" series that I have read. I know many have recommended this series, so I hope to get a chance to read a lot more of these books. In regards to this one, pick up and read it.

Thanks InterVarsity Press for letting me review this book.