If I seem a little presumptuous in my title, I can only imagine the joys and struggles of men like Martin Luther and John Calvin when they re-read the familiar words of Paul's letter to Rome (the book of Romans) and were somewhat awestruck not with what they had read, but what they had missed previously in their studies. When you consider the amount of study these two man actually did through the volumes of writings and the influence that followed . . . well, let's just say it makes 'War and Peace' seem like a very short, short story!As I share from my own thoughts and journals over the next number of weeks and as our church goes on this journey through the book of Romans, I realize that what can be said through a message might only touch the surface of what is contained in this letter. I'm hoping to use the technology of blogging as a way to 'go deeper' in the things I choose not to share in the message from each Sunday.
Let me begin by stating that it's hard not to imagine Paul's intent in the writing this letter. After all, it must have been one of the most concise and informative theological thesis ever written to this point in time and without sounding sarcastic to the more recent writers of commentaries, it certainly stands alone in both its content and style. Yet, we get a sense Paul's heart was never to be a scholar, nor teacher (although he certainly attained greatness in both), rather he was consumed with a passion to share his relationship with Christ to the world. He was an evengelist (thank goodness, TV hadn't arrived yet)! I would suggest before us is not a work or theology, but a work of evangelism - i.e. Church Planting, Sharing one's faith, Missionary Work, etc!
Paul articulates his background well in Acts 22 but in his encounter with Christ he becomes a new man; a transformed individual. Everything Paul considered valuable to that point in life was now being observed through a new set of lenses - a lens of eternal signifiance. This of course altered the way he cared for himself and the way he viewed others. Paul had moved from night to day, from enslavement to liberty and from murderer to lover! For Paul, there was but two ways to view this world: the one he had held on to for so long, but provided no fullness or completeness to life (as he defines it - the rule of sin and death as given through Adam as the first of creation) and the freedom he now expereinced in Christ (the rule of grace and life through the declartion [justification] of Christ).
When a follower of Christ is able to not so much understand that (the intriacies of justification), but is able to accept them, it too changes the way in which we view ourselves and others. The problem so often comes in trying to process the details, we loose sight of the effect. For example, I (and you) breathe without thought, nor complete understanding of the process of oxygen, neither it's origin or the complete process of photosynthesis (at least I sure don't) in reproducing it, yet we apply it's effect on us ever second of our life. Paul is calling the disciple of Christ to this outcome and effect, where instinctivelly our life responds to the divine nature of Christ, rather than the human nature of humanity (Adam). This is what a Christ-follower [Christian] looks like!
If I could sum up the letter in short, I would suggest the heart of the author wants to re-affirm to his reader that the life that is found in Christ and the response thereof changes the way in which we live . . . and die! He has written an invitation to any who would read the words to consider the liberty and joy he has found in Christ over the enslavement and brokeness found in themelves. It is a letter of hope! As he states in Romans 1.16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."
I look forward to opening up the thoughts of Paul in a fresh way as the gospel is not bound by time or personality, but enlightens every generation to know Paul's God.
I will also try to suggest some further reading for your own study . . . If you're looking for a great and exhaustive commentary on Romans, one of the best in print currently is written by Leon Morris (not the cheapest, but a treasure to be opened often)
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sábado 12 de septiembre de 2009
THE AH1N1 AND THE 11TH OF SEPTEMBER
In memory of the people of the United States still remains fresh suffered the fatal attack this nation in the hands of terrorists, and which claimed the lives of thousands of people and many places were destroyed, as are the buildings known as "The Twin Towers, "and was also damaged the Pentagon.
But quite apart from the coverage that was given to this subject from the earthly prespective, there are some questions from a spiritual perspective on What was on September 11?, Was God's punishment on the United States?
Yes, although many evangelical leaders refuse to accept it.
This is a very grim decade for the American nation. Since the disaster that Hurricane Katrina ocacion THEREFORE with loss of thousands of lives, passing on September 11, and now with the AH1N1 influenza pandemic which has already caused hundreds of deaths and putting the United States as one of the countries with the highest rate of deaths in the world, all this suggests that even if God is punishing this nation.
But this punishment could be accentuated now approaching the winter season.
The United States were a nation at a time reflecting the glory of God now seems to be a nation defiled by sin, had been a nation that reflected blessing but now seems to reflect a curse on her, had been a hospitable nation, but now it seems be a nation full of pride. The Bible says that "God resists the proud" (James 4, 6) and the only way to resist a nation pride is punished.
The terror, hunger, and death, seem to be a trilogy of punishing blows that are the pride of this nation, and would be tragic if the U.S. persists in its arrogance, rather than humble themselves before God.
The future of the United States is not in their intelligence services to protect them from future terrorist attacks or political reforms to curb unemployment and hunger, or health systems to protect them from death by influenza AH1N1, but rather in Christian churches they call God tirelessly to stop his punishment.
But if the evangelical denominations are spiritually poor is likely that the future of the United States in the next few years is of a darker hue.
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