The Great Meaning Of Metanoia: An Undeveloped Chapter In The Life And Teaching Of Christ

by Treadwell Walden

""The Great Meaning of An Undeveloped Chapter in the Life and Teaching of Christ"" is a book written by Treadwell Walden and originally published in 1896. The book explores the concept of ""metanoia"" which is a Greek word that is often translated as ""repentance"" in the Bible. Walden argues that this translation is incomplete and that ""metanoia"" actually has a much deeper meaning that has been largely overlooked in Christian theology. Walden draws on a variety of sources including the Bible, early Christian writings, and Greek philosophy to explore the true meaning of ""metanoia"". He argues that it is not simply about feeling sorry for one's sins or changing one's behavior, but rather it is a profound transformation of the entire self. This transformation involves a shift in one's worldview, a new way of seeing the world and one's place in it. Walden also explores the historical and cultural context of Jesus' teachings on ""metanoia"" and argues that they were revolutionary for their time. He suggests that Jesus was calling for a radical transformation of society, one that would lead to greater justice and equality for all people. Overall, ""The Great Meaning of Metanoia"" is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of a concept that is central to Christian theology. It challenges readers to rethink their understanding of ""repentance"" and to consider the deeper implications of Jesus' teachings on transformation and social justice.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Theology

190 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2010

Reviews

[Luis Andrade M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una lectura difícil pues el nivel del lenguaje no es fácil para un lector poco acostumbrado. No obstante es un libro poderoso y reconfortante.

La palabra más mal interpretada y mal usada de la Biblia y la religión cristiana (también católica) es Metanoia. El primer problema es la traducción.

Narra el libro el contexto histórico de la región en que Jesús se desarrolla públicamente: había sido conquistado por Alejandro Magno y se hablaba griego en general (como el inglés en nuestros días). Se hablaba arameo por los judíos. Luego llegan los romanos con el latín vulgar y el latín culto. Las primeras versiones de los textos que integraron posteriormente el Nuevo Testamento se escribieron en griego. Finalmente, cuando la Biblia fue traducida al inglés y luego a otros idiomas como el español, muchas palabras y especialmente Metanoia perdieron parte de su significado al pasar de un idioma a otro.

Se puede creer que parte del problema fue intencional… pues a partir de Constantino se uso la religión para el control del pueblo y “arrepentirse” es útil para esos fines.

Jesús hablaba arameo, pero usaba palabras griegas en ocasiones. Metanoia es una de estas….

Se le ha interpretado como “Arrepentimiento”, pero es mucho más que eso. Metanoia es cambio de mente, ir más allá de la mente. Es renovación o nuevo punto de partida.


Metanoia es dar nueva forma a la mente, dar nueva forma a la realidad a través de esto. Lo sutil mueve lo denso. Metanoia es un ejercicio mental que permite el cambio profundo del ser.

Por lo anterior se le regresa al individuo el poder de cambiar y ser nuevo. Se le retorna a la persona poder que se le había arrebatado: el poder de tomar las riendas del destino.

[Pam Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected the traditional condemning approach but ended up feeling empowered and loved. The traditional meaning of repentance per Puritans and the Catholic church is what the New Testament expressed as regret. This is the 'turn' part when the bible says turn and repent. Repentance has by tradition come to mean looking back more than forward, bad feelings more than new thinking. Yes repentance entails turning away from sin, but that's less than half the story. Be transformed by a renewal of the mind. There's the key to repentance.

[Meg]

This could have been an email.

[Chris Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

METANOIA: Confirmed what I sensed for most of the last decade, that there is void in the translation regarding the Opening of John the Baptist and Jesus in Mark 1 Jesus saying IN REALITY NOW LAID BARE, "Change your mind [speaking to Jews who'd been raised under Mosaic Law] and believe the good news." That good news in Jeremiah 31: 31-34 and Isaiah 42 and 53 among other places in the prophets and of course the Psalms. GOOD NEWS: 1) NEW COVENANT (Israel and Judah, until then under law); 2) Covenant not like that first one made by law in the desert; 3) Law in their inward parts (No more stone tablets); 4) Written on their hearts; 5) I will be their God and they my people; 6) And they will no more teach one another; KNOW THE LORD, for they will all know me (Hmmmm?); I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more. REPENT? Roman translator's perversion of the gospel. Repenting of bad acts does not lead to fulfillment of Matthew 25 the failure of which is destruction (many are deceived) nor remedy; rather multiply the difficulty Paul "I cannot carry it out" in Romans 7 leaving those unaware in the lurch and headed slightly in the wrong direction. The leadership in the church overall since Jerome have remained silent in the name of "we have always done it this way" and the excuse they cannot find a word in English to contain the essence of Metanoia, while all admitting REPENT is not accurate. A fantastic book written in 1896 otherwise the reviewer would assuredly contact Walden Treadwell and start the ball rolling to correct and revise the Books of the New Testament. Chris Queen 11/16/2017

[Steven]

Ok let's face it: Only Bible nerds read this kind of book. But hey, I got intrigued while digging into metanoia, kairos, and proneia. Tough read: wow they used a lot of commas in the 1800s! But worth muddling through because it was rich in ideas worth exploring again.

I couldn't stop chuckling in the last third of the book as he systematically does a smack down of the word poenitentia as a Latin replacement for metanoia. Seriously, couldn't stop. laughing

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. A must read for every pastor, scholar and Christian layman. The word "repentance" cannot sustain the true meaning of the Greek word "metanoia", which so mightily encapsulates the gospel of Jesus Christ, which calls men to a new mindset - God's mindset about righteousness. Read!