Peter Masters' Listing of Problems with Errant Concepts of Repentance and Psalm 51 as a Model Prayer of True Repentance

In his book on evangelistic preaching from a Reformed perspective, Peter Masters provided the following list of problems with many concepts of repentance in modern Protestantism. The following is a reproduction of his listing:

(1) The seeker has too superficial view of sin
(a) Repentance is much too vague and general
(b) the seeker sees only ‘outward’ sins
(c) Only one or two faults are acknowledged
(d) The seeker is still proud of his ‘good points’
(e) Sin is regarded as sickness
(f) Excuses are made for sin
(g) Rejection of Christ is seen as the only sin
(h) There is no repentance for unseen sin

(2) The seeker feels little shame
(a) A benefit is sought rather than forgiveness
(b) The seeker is afraid of judgment rather than ashamed
(c) A form of passing remorse substitutes for shame

(3) Repentance is not God-centred
(a) The seeker is not sorry toward God
(b) The seeker is not sufficiently moved by Chris’s sufferings

(4) Rebellious desires still rule
(a) The seeker hopes to keep some sins
(b) A new life is not greatly desired
(c) The total lordship of Christ is not accepted (Peter Masters, Physicians of Souls: The Gospel Ministry [London: The Wakemen Trust, 2002], 62)

Imagine if a Latter-day Saint publication presented such a listing: our critics would be arguing that our view of repentance is proof of the “impossible gospel” of Mormonism!

Interestingly, under the sub-heading of “Repentance is much too vague and general,” Masters discusses how David is a model of true repentance:

True repentance is more precise, as we s in David’s model of prayer of repentance where three distinct aspects of sin are mentioned.

‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my TRANSGRESSSIONS. Wash me thoroughly from mine INIQUITY, and cleanse me from my SIN. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight’ (Psalm 51.1-4).

The here ‘faces’ of sin lamented by David are transgression, iniquity and sin. (Ibid., 63)

Why is this so interesting? Psa 51 (cf. Psa 32) is David repenting of his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah. Paul, in Rom 4:5-8, uses David as one of his two models for justification (the other being Abraham), but David was clearly a justified person before these sins, showing that he lost his initial justification. For a fuller discussion, see the discussion of Rom 4:5-8 at:

Response to a Recent Attempt to Defend Imputed Righteousness