R OMANS SALVATION IS FOR ALL THE APPIAN WAY LEADING TO ROME

WIDER THEOLOGY SPECIFIC SITUATION The Purpose Paul is a “task theologian”

Evidence that Romans is a theology of salvation

If Romans is a theology of salvation, then what is it about?

LUTHER Theme verse - R OMANS 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘the righteous will live by faith.’

R EVISED Theme verse - R OMANS 1:16 and 17 ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘the righteous will live by faith.’

ROMANS 1:16 SOCIOLOGICAL DIMENSION - salvation is for all - ROMANS 1:17 THEOLOGICAL DIMENSION - salvation is by faith -

Jewish / Gentile Race Hate J EWS G ENTILES S EPARATION S EPARATION P URITY P URITY F EAR F EAR G ENTILES J EWS G ENTILES J EWS P REJUDICE I NTEGRATION D ISTRUST

R OMANS A T HEOLOGY OF S ALVATION ‘S ALVATION IS FOR A LL Peoples ’

Purpose : Romans is Paul’s theology of salvation for all people. But it also addresses specific needs in Rome.

What Specific Needs does Romans address? 1.T he ‘Strong / Weak’ Theory 2. T he ‘Mission Situation’ Theory

P URPOSE OF R OMANS Paul gives a theological foundation to his mission to the Gentiles to legitimize it and to encourage support for its extension in the western Mediterranean.

T HREE M AIN Q UESTIONS How can both Jew and Gentile be saved? CHAPTERS 1-8 Does God still have a special relationship with the Jews? CHAPTERS 9-11 How should culturally different Christians get along? CHAPTERS 12-15

How can both the Jew and the Gentile be saved? CHAPTERS 1-8

T HE S HORT A NSWER: ROMANS 1:17 They are saved by the revealed righteousness from God.

‘righteousness from God’ 1:17 - Covenantal Language - - Covenantal Language -  Ethnic connections?  Covenant obligations? Trust in the Living God Trust in the Living God ‘How does one live in a right relationship with God?’

PAUL’S MAIN ARGUMENT ROMANS 1:18 ff.

If you were writing a paper on your theology of salvation, where would you begin?

Paul will argue for: A God-Centered Salvation for the Gentiles

Romans 1:18 – 3:20 PAUL’S APPROACH WRATH G OD’S R IGHTEOUS J UDGMENT (2:5) All humanity is under wrath and therefore needs a God-centered salvation.

TALKING ABOUT SIN IN A POSTMODERN WORLD

Romans 1:18 – 32 THE GENTILES Jewish Literary Attacks on Gentile Ways were Common CREATOR-CENTEREDCREATURE-CENTERED

How can both Jew and Gentile be saved? CHAPTERS 1-8 Road Sign Time

Romans 2 THE JEWS Paul talks about the Jews, but only to further his argument about the Gentiles. His logic is: ‘If the Jew can’t be saved by the law, then neither can the Gentile.’

Romans 3:1-8 Paul begins exploring his second major question: “Does God still have a special relationship with the Jews?” But he’s wandering !

Romans 3:9-20 PAUL RETURNS He finalizes his wrath argument. Romans 3:20 - ‘No one (Jew or Gentile) is righteous in his sight by observing the law.’

Romans 3:21-31 PAUL’S CONCLUSIONS Here, he draws out the logical implications of his wrath argument.

Romans 3:21-31 PAUL’S CONCLUSIONS 1. Romans 3:21 - ‘a righteousness from God has been made known’ 2. Romans 3:25 ‘a sacrifice of atonement’ 3. Romans 3:27 ‘where, then is boasting?

Romans 4 PAUL REINFORCES HIS ARGUMENT R OYAL G RANT T REATY GENESIS 15 S UZERAIN T REATY GENESIS 17 E. P. S ANDERS ‘COVENANTAL NOMISM’

Romans 5:1-11 PAUL APPLIES HIS ARGUMENT E SCHATOLOGICAL E THICS FOR PAUL, SALVATION HAS NOT YET FULLY HAPPENED

Romans 5:12-21 ANOTHER STRONG ARGUMENT A META-NARRATIVE ARGUMENT ADAM / CHRIST

Romans 6 OBJECTION ANTI-NOMIANISM ? Cf. ROMANS 1:5 S LAVES TO S IN 6:16 S LAVES TO R IGHTEOUSNESS 6:18

BALANCED DISCIPLESHIP IS: GRACE-BASEDGOD-INFORMEDSPIRIT-ENABLEDCHRIST-CENTERED

Romans 7 and 8 A FURTHER REPLY TO THE OBJ. ROM 6 EXTENDS INTO 7 & 8 S LAVES TO S IN T HEME CHAPTER 7 S LAVES TO R IGHTEOUSNESS CHAPTER 8

T HREE M AIN Q UESTIONS How are Jew and Gentile saved? CHAPTERS 1-8 Does God still have a special relationship to the Jews? CHAPTERS 9-11 How should culturally different Christians get along? CHAPTERS 12-15

Does God still have a special relationship with the Jews? CHAPTERS 9-11

‘What advantage is there in being Jewish?’ (3:1-2 continued in 9:4-5)

‘Has God’s Word failed?’ Romans 9:6 – 10:21 ‘not all descended from Israel are Israel … but rather the children of promise are

Has God rejected His people? Romans 11 The Remnant

T HREE M AIN Q UESTIONS How are the Gentiles saved? CHAPTERS 1-8 Does God still have a special relationship to the Jews? CHAPTERS 9-11 How should culturally different Christians get along? CHAPTERS 12-15

How should culturally different Christians get along? CHAPTERS Application (Practical Theology)

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you … in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2 If theology is grace, then ethics is gratitude. - F.F. Bruce - F.F. Bruce

Romans 12:3-16 Here, Paul applies this theme to living in the Christian community.

Romans 12:17 – 13:10 Here, Paul applies this theme to living in a world that is hostile in a world that is hostile to Christians.

Romans 13:11-14 Here, Paul once again takes a swipe at antinomianism.

Romans 14:1 – 15:13 Here, Paul gives some very practical advice on how to promote unity between culturally different Christians.

Romans 14:1 – 15:13 DIASPORA JUDAISM C IRCUMCISION C IRCUMCISION S ABBATH S ABBATH F OOD LAWS F OOD LAWS TRIBAL MARKERS vs. Rom 14:17-18

Should mono-cultural churches intentionally try to become multi-cultural?

The End