For the next fourteen weeks we’ll be reading the letters of Paul. For the next three weeks we will read Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary says of this letter,
In the preface to his commentary on the book of Romans Luther wrote, “This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul.”
It would be hard to overemphasize the importance this book has had for the church. But it is also quite probably the most theologically controversial book in the New Testament. This week we will read the first six chapters in the letter. Using your YouVersion Bible app try reading at one sitting these first six chapters from the NLT (New Living Translation not the New Living Bible) which is a functional rather than a formal translation. Then read your daily assignments from your preferred Bible.
So, what could be controversial in these first six chapters? The first lengthy passage involving a controversy would be what theologians refer to as General Revelation. What can men know about God from looking at the world around them? Is General Revelation sufficient for salvation?
What about homosexuality? Is God responsible for it?
What about keeping the Old Testament Law? Could someone be saved by keeping the Law?
Are we born in a neutral state and can either choose to sin or not to sin? A fifth century British Monk named Pelagius thought so. There are denominational groups today that agree with Pelagius.
What part does ‘faith’ play in salvation?
What part do ‘works’ have in salvation?
What did Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish?
What part does God’s grace play in our salvation? Does God’s grace increase when we sin? “Rasputin taught and exemplified the doctrine of salvation through repeated experiences of sin and repentance. He held that, as those who sin most require most forgiveness, a sinner who continues to sin with abandon enjoys, each time he repents, more of God’s forgiving grace than any ordinary sinner.”
Longest and most intensely theological of the 13 NT letters written by Paul. This letter is also the most significant in the history of the church. Martin Luther was studying Romans when he concluded that a person becomes righteous in the sight of God through faith alone. His discovery led to the Reformation battle cry, sola fide, “by faith alone.”
In the preface to his commentary on the book of Romans Luther wrote, “This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul.”
It would be hard to overemphasize the importance this book has had for the church. But it is also quite probably the most theologically controversial book in the New Testament. This week we will read the first six chapters in the letter. Using your YouVersion Bible app try reading at one sitting these first six chapters from the NLT (New Living Translation not the New Living Bible) which is a functional rather than a formal translation. Then read your daily assignments from your preferred Bible.
So, what could be controversial in these first six chapters? The first lengthy passage involving a controversy would be what theologians refer to as General Revelation. What can men know about God from looking at the world around them? Is General Revelation sufficient for salvation?
What about homosexuality? Is God responsible for it?
What about keeping the Old Testament Law? Could someone be saved by keeping the Law?
Are we born in a neutral state and can either choose to sin or not to sin? A fifth century British Monk named Pelagius thought so. There are denominational groups today that agree with Pelagius.
What part does ‘faith’ play in salvation?
What part do ‘works’ have in salvation?
What did Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish?
What part does God’s grace play in our salvation? Does God’s grace increase when we sin? “Rasputin taught and exemplified the doctrine of salvation through repeated experiences of sin and repentance. He held that, as those who sin most require most forgiveness, a sinner who continues to sin with abandon enjoys, each time he repents, more of God’s forgiving grace than any ordinary sinner.”
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