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Contrition
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==== Imperfect contrition ==== {{Wikisource1911Enc|Attrition}} In contrast to perfect contrition, imperfect contrition (also known as ''attrition'') is defined as a desire not to [[sin]] for a reason other than love of [[God]].<ref name="CCC 2012" />{{rp|1492}} Catholic teaching holds that imperfect contrition does not produce [[Justification (theology)|justification]], but does dispose the soul to receive [[Divine grace|grace]] in the sacrament of penance.<ref name="CCC 2012" />{{rp|1453}} Catholic theologians generally hold that a person who receives a sacrament while unaware of a mortal sin receives justification if they have imperfect contrition.<ref name="Hanna 1907"/> The [[Council of Trent]] (1545β1563) held that while imperfect contrition is motivated by reasons such as "the consideration of the turpitude of sin or from the fear of [[Hell]] and punishment", it also is a gift from God. "If any man assert that attrition ... is not a true and a profitable sorrow; that it does not prepare the soul for grace, but that it makes a man a hypocrite, yea, even a greater sinner, let him be [[Anathema]]."<ref name="Hanna 1907"/> Scriptures cited in support of imperfect contrition include: * [https://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A13&version=DRA Proverbs 13:13] * [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2014:26-27&version=DRA Proverbs 14:26β27] * [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+19%3A23&version=DRA Proverbs 19:23] * [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A28&version=DRA Matthew 10:28] * [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A12&version=DRA Philippians 2:12], in which Paul exhorts Christians to work out "our salvation in fear and trembling". * Psalm 111: 10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." ===== Criticism of imperfect contrition ===== In his 1537 ''[[Apology of the Augsburg Confession]]'', [[Philipp Melanchthon]] argued against the concept of imperfect contrition on the basis that it leaves the penitent person uncertain:<ref>''Apology of the Augsburg Confession'', [http://bookofconcord.org/defense_10_repentance.php#para9 Article XII (V): Of Repentance.]</ref> {{blockquote|When, however, will a terrified conscience, especially in those serious, true, and great terrors which are described in the psalms and the prophets, and which those certainly taste who are truly converted, be able to decide whether it fears God for His own sake, or is fleeing from eternal punishments?}} In his 1537 ''[[Smalcald Articles]]'', Martin Luther argued against the Catholic doctrine of imperfect contrition, arguing that "such contrition was certainly mere hypocrisy, and did not mortify the lust for sins; for they had to grieve, while they would rather have continued to sin, if it had been free to them." Instead he argued that "repentance is not piecemeal," and "In like manner confession, too, cannot be false, uncertain, or piecemeal."<ref>''Smalcald Articles'', [http://bookofconcord.org/smalcald.php#part3.3.10 Part III, Article III. Of Repentance],</ref>
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