Review of Thomas Watson's The Doctrine of Repentance , by Todd Gwenapp

In an era where Christian doctrine and preaching has often lapsed into the merely therapeutic, Thomas Watson calls believers to recover the primacy of repentance. He structures this discussion of repentance by first treating what repentance is not. It is not, he argues, a sense of one’s guilt (15), a resolution against sin (15), nor even leaving some sins behind (16).

Having established the properties of counterfeit repentance, the remainder of the first half of the book is devoted to the nature of true repentance. According to Watson, true repentance has six ingredients: sight of sin, sorrow for sin, confession of sin, shame for sin, hatred for sin, and turning from sin (18). In chapters three and four, he elaborates upon these six principles, offering Scriptural support and answers to proposed questions and objections. These two chapters are themselves worth the modest price of the book. Watson’s treatment is so thorough that one cannot help but understand what true repentance is. In an age of quick fixes and cheap grace, he reminds us “that repentance is of such importance that there is no being saved without it” (13). Watson emphasizes that repentance that omits any of the six ingredients “loses its virtue” (18), noting indeed that “[false] repentance damns many” (15). He helpfully distinguishes between sorrow over an offense and sorrow over punishment (21), between confessing sin and excusing it (32), and between leaving sin and loathing it (45). These distinctions mark the difference between true and false repentance, and they are distinctions God’s people need to hear today.

In the second half of the book, Watson exhorts Christians to repentance--offering reason upon reason not to delay. In chapter six, entitled “A Serious Exhortation to Repentance,” he offers a practical guide for repenting. He enumerates the various things for which we all must repent, dwelling on both the corruption of our natures and our actual sins (74).

As the book draws to a close, Watson’s exhortation not only challenges the mind but inflames the heart and empowers the will. I found myself having to put down the book every few pages to repent. I was seriously convicted by my own lack of repentance, my love of certain sins, and my ambivalence towards pursuing holiness. Watson is a gentle guide with a pastoral sensibility--concerned to see both God’s people and unbelievers repent at the urging of the Spirit and in the strength of Christ.

I would heartily commend this book to any pastor, as it is easy to read, informative, and moving. Watson challenged me in ways I have not been challenged in years, and God used this man mightily in my personal sanctification. I would offer, though, one small caution. While this book could be given to an average layperson and understood, I would hesitate in giving it to a person of tender conscience struggling with assurance of salvation. Although Watson notes in several places that his desire is not to undermine assurance, his harping on ensuring that our repentance is genuine could adversely affect those prone to doubt their salvation already. That being said, this book will be one I recommend frequently to those desiring to know what true repentance is. It will stay on my “frequent use” bookshelf.

Covenant Theological Seminary alumnus, Todd Gwennap (MDiv 09)
Assistant Pastor
Arden Presbyterian Church
Arden, NC


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