A WORLDVIEW FROM ROMANS

A WORLDVIEW FROM ROMANS

While Paul’s letter to the church at Rome was never intended to be given as a Systematic Theology, his orderly doctrinal exegete of the gospel continues to be a precious source of doctrine to shape the Christian’s worldview. Throughout the letter Paul refers to God’s character, His creation, and the orientation of mankind toward God. While his purpose is not certain, his careful exposition of theology bare striking significance to the importance of his evangelistic theme, the Gospel of Jesus Christ: the power of God unto salvation.

CREATION

            Paul addresses essential issues within the time frame of history. The main aspect of this time frame is the nature of beginnings, namely Creation and the Fall, where Paul builds his argument for the universal guilt of mankind before God. Paul operates in a presuppositional understanding of God’s existence, and in Romans 1:20 he explains that God has clearly revealed his “invisible attributes” leaving mankind “without excuse” for failing to be thankful and glorifying Him.[1] In short we can conclude that it is evident that God is Creator. Additionally, God’s function as an administrator and sustainer is implied in the following passages, for to “give them up uncleanness” Paul suggests an active involvement of God in “consigning people to the consequences of their actions.”[2] Paul goes on to subject Jews and Greeks to the same fate, namely a failure to achieve righteousness, and thus deserving death by sinning and falling “short of the glory of God.”[3] Additionally, although the focus of Romans is certainly on the redemption of man, Paul also speaks toward the redemption of nature which has been for a time, subjected to “the bondage of corruption” in the present frame of the apocalyptic timeline.[4]

SIN AND ADAM

Paul affirms the historicity of Adam through a chiastic stanza in Romans 5:12 affirming the historical setting of the original sin and its continued dominion over every individual. Universal death is his proof for the universality of sin, a physical and spiritual consequence of disobeying the Creator of the universe, effectually making us “enemies” in the sight of a holy God.[5] In the context of Romans 5 we see that sin is an infectious reality which is the dominant unbroken nature of all mankind from Adam forward.[6] This truth is confirmed by Paul in that, even without a written moral code providing opportunity for transgressions, death nevertheless reigned from “Adam to Moses.”[7] Additionally, this sin nature was unbroken by the establishment of a moral code, for the Law of Moses was added so that “the offense might abound.”[8]

ONLY ONE MEANS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

A significant juxtaposition is incorporated within Romans 5 as the “one Man’s righteous act,” namely the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, is set beside the “one man’s offense” and found to be far greater in worth, overcoming the power of sin for all men who will be saved, whether Jew or Gentile. This great saving act is heralded throughout the book of Romans. Likewise, in ascribing Jesus Christ as the object of the believer’s faith, who alone may expiate the wrath of God, Paul draws an undeniable inference regarding the impeccability of Jesus Christ as a sufficient sacrifice, the only available for mankind.[9] Additionally, God is not mocked and the faith that saves is a living active faith which bears fruit, such as existed in Paul’s archetype, Abraham.[10] Because of Jesus’ works, righteousness may be obtained through faith because through Him propitiation has been made to God and God’s righteousness is upheld, thus the object of faith.

So then through Jesus, who alone may expiate wrath and offer the forgiveness granted to sinners, condemnation may be removed and adoption as sons through the Spirit as joint heirs with Christ granted to those who have faith in Jesus Christ.[11] The work of Christ is applied by the Spirit of God as all who are in Christ live according to the Spirit, no longer obeying the lusts of the flesh.[12] Likewise, through the grace of God by the working of The Holy Spirit, believers have the privilege of being members of Christ’s body, having gifts of grace to serve one another in edification and love.

SPECIAL BODY WITH A SPECIAL PURPOSE

The purpose of God in this corporate body, the church, is the salvation and restoration of man from a sinful corrupt person, to a Christ-like man in glory.[13] Additionally, Paul speaks of an eschatological goal regarding the nation of Israel beyond the remnant that receives Christ throughout the majority of the church age. Moo is favorable of the opinion that “all Israel” refers to a future generation of Israel that will be saved according to God’s unfolding work. Likewise, while the creation is subjected to a curse, Paul taught consistently to the apocalyptic tradition of his time regarding the renewing of the earth in Romans 8:19-25.[14] Therefore we should keep this reality in mind when considering our stewardship on earth.

PROPER ACTIONS OF THE BELIEVER

      In keeping with this stewardship, we must also consider that which is ethical in our behavior as Christians. Perhaps a summary statement of this ethical behavior can be found in two statements: “Do not be overcome by evil, but rather overcome evil with good,” and “love is the fulfillment of the commandments.”[15] Pragmatically, Paul commands to refrain from stealing, slandering, resisting authority, drunkenness, bearing false witness, refusing to pay taxes, coveting, committing adultery, and violating the conscience of a weaker brother for the sake of one’s own liberty. It is essential to remember, that these practical duties are only fulfilled through freedom from the law of commands via faith in Jesus Christ and submission to the Spirit of God.

REFLECTING GOD RIGHTLY

Paul likewise expounds the nature of God, of which we ought to reflect on the world around us as Christians. God is righteous and just in His judgment, merciful toward sinners, and Sovereign in is dispensation of authority.[16] He is faithful in fulfilling his promises, and active in his works.[17] And, While God is a God of wrath toward rebellion and sin; He is equally a God of love manifesting his nature toward rebellious humanity in the person and work of Jesus Christ.[18] Thus, the Worldview established in Romans seems to beckon us to head the Psalmist’s words "be still [cease striving] and know that I am God."[19]

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[1] Romans 1:20 NKJV

[2] Moo, 61.

[3] Romans 3:23

[4] Romans 8:20

[5] Romans 5:10

[6] Romans 7:5 “for when we were controlled by the sinful nature”

[7] Romans 5:14

[8] Romans 5:20

[9] Romans 8:4

[10] Romans 4:9-12

[11] Romans 3:24-25; 8:12-17

[12] Romans 8:1-4

[13] Romans 8:28, 30, 31;

[14] Moo, 266.

[15] Romans 12:21; 13:10

[16] Romans 3:25; Romans 5:8; Romans 13:1-3

[17] Romans 9:14

[18] Romans 1:18; Romans 5:8

[19] Psalm 46:10