Does contrition include a hatred of sin?
Does contrition include a hatred of sin?
§ 80. In the third question, “whether contrition includes a hatred and loathing of sin,” Bellarmine [ch. 4] has our agreement. What he fabricates about Luther, as if Luther denies that contrition includes a hatred of sin, has an easy explanation. Luther is speaking about the hatred of sin which springs from slavish fear and is related to punishment rather than fault.11 He is speaking comparatively: that we ought to be concerned not so much about the quantity of contrition as about the serious correction of our lives. He is speaking about the true explanation of the word μετάνοια, which denotes an inner change of mind and intent but not external actions undertaken voluntarily. Yet he does not deny that contrition includes the hatred of sin.