Romans Series:Introduction

You may know that I left Cedar Mill Bible Church to help plant Westport Church. My wife and I have now gone back to Cedar Mill. We got back in the middle of a series on Romans by (mainly) Carl Palmer.

Romans is my favorite book in the Bible, and Carl is my favorite Bible teacher (at least within my limited experience). I haven't really gone back and listened to his sermons on the first seven books of Romans - so I am going to do that now. I am going to link the audio of the message; and post the text that Carl taught through. Where I have thoughts - I will write about them.

Mainly, I wish to simply give folks who find this an ongoing place to discuss this book and its important themes. It is my plan to post on Sundays and Thursdays - at least until I catch up with Carl's one year head start.

Since the book is controversial, as is Paul in certain circles - I wish to point to the "rules of engagement" for discussion at Brain Cramps:

1. The golden rule
2. You cannot read minds.
3. People are not evil.
4. Debates are not for winning.
5. You make mistakes.
6. Not everyone cares as much as you.
7. Engaging is hard work.
8. Differences can be subtle.
9. Give up quietly.

So, jump right in an listen to Carl's introduction to the Series. His general outline of the book handed out during the service is here.

Carl presents these verses as the theme of the whole book:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.34 17 For the righteousness 35 of God is revealed in the gospel 36 from faith to faith, 37 just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” 38

Notes:

34 sn Here the Greek refers to anyone who is not Jewish.

35 tn The nature of the “righteousness” described here and the force of the genitive θεοῦ (“of God”) which follows have been much debated. (1) Some (e.g. C. E. B. Cranfield, Romans [ICC], 1:98) understand “righteousness” to refer to the righteous status given to believers as a result of God’s justifying activity, and see the genitive “of God” as a genitive of source (= “from God”). (2) Others see the “righteousness” as God’s act or declaration that makes righteous (i.e., justifies) those who turn to him in faith, taking the genitive “of God” as a subjective genitive (see E. Käsemann, Romans, 25–30). (3) Still others see the “righteousness of God” mentioned here as the attribute of God himself, understanding the genitive “of God” as a possessive genitive (“God’s righteousness”).

36 tn Grk “in it”; the referent (the gospel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

37 tn Or “by faith for faith,” or “by faith to faith.” There are many interpretations of the phrase ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν (ek pisteōs eis pistin). It may have the idea that this righteousness is obtained by faith (ἐκ πίστεως) because it was designed for faith (εἰς πίστιν). For a summary see J. Murray, Romans (NICNT), 1:363–74.

38 sn A quotation from Hab 2:4.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.

Feel free to chat the rules of debate, the overall importance of the book, and whatever else you can think of related to Carl's opening message.

Next: Romans 1:1-7 -- "God's Gospel and Paul's Ministry"