Thomas Cogdell - Identificational Repentance
During the Christ the Reconciler retreat, we tackled Identificational Repentance - a difficult and overlooked topic, but very important for reconciliation and unity. Thomas taught first about the negative effects of sin going "wide" and "long", then addressed biblical examples of identificational repentance to heal these "wounds of the world."
Teaching given at Christ the Reconciler, 19 July 2025.
Here are links to some good resources, most of which are mentioned in the teaching:
Helmut Eiwen's short paper - used in Wittenberg 2017, originally in German, translated into English by John Martin
Dr. Gary S. Greig's longer paper - a little more academic but definitely accessible, covers in detail biblical examples & common objections
John Dawson's Midword - contact us if you don't have the Unity Through Repentance book, and would like to read just the midword which addresses this topic
Healing America's Wounds, by John Dawson (on Amazon, there's also a copy in the CTR library)
Healing the Past, by George Miley (YouTube video with an example of identificational repentance regarding slavery in the US
Fr. Peter Hocken & Deacon Johannes Fichtenbauer, Brazil 2013 (YouTube video with another example of identificational repentance, for the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal)
And, if you prefer video (which does show you the scriptures being taught on) …
