Simple Answers From Biblical Truths
Romans thirteen is inevitably the first passage that Christian peacemakers need to contend with. Often it's used as grounds to prove that Christians can set aside the teachings of Jesus in service of their country. But I believe Christians, having been heavily influenced by Augustine and his subsequent theologians, have made catastrophic errors in interpreting Paul's writings by disconnecting them from their context.
We're living in a world of increasing hostility and division. People feel threatened by those who choose not to get vaccinated because they see their choice as being reckless and cavalier with other people's lives. And they're frustrated because they feel that the unvaccinated are prolonging the pain of the pandemic. Others see the coercive force being implemented to pressure people into getting vaccinated as threatening the foundations of our civil freedoms. And they feel threatened by the potential dangers of the vaccine given questions about its long-term health impacts. As Christians we find that it is through the chaos of all these questions and doubts that we are called to become peacemakers!
Romans 13:4 (CSB) — For [government] is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Look at how much chaos is being inflicted on society because …
My co-minister and I have been developing our 2020 teaching outline for the book of Romans. We began by comparing existing outlines from the Expositor's Bible Commentary, College Press Commentary, Randall House Commentary, IPV Commentary, and the Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Romans. Then we read through each section together and took note of the key points …
Continue reading "Journal: Creating Our Final Outline For Romans"
This sneak peak shows the progress my co-minister and I are making in laying out our Romans curriculum for 2020 (possibly into 2021 - Lord willing). We've been having some great conversations over the last three weeks about the message of Romans and the many different issues that Paul touches on in Romans. I am …
Romans 5:2 (CSB) We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. I want to keep this short and speak to the person who is longing to enter the presence of God, but who feels dry and …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNDXZai-_kg&feature=youtu.be The holy fear of the Lord is the means by which we bring the holiness of Christ to completion in our lives and walk in reverence with the knowledge that God will repay each person according to their works. Romans 1:18–19 (CSB) — 18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness …
Titus 3:4–5 (CSB) — 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is a supernatural experience that cannot be accomplished …
INTRODUCTION: Vision for Christian Life Opening Prayer: Ephesians 3:16–19 (CSB) — 16 I pray that he may grant [us], according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in [our] inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith. I pray that [we], being rooted …
Continue reading "Vision for Christian Life: Romans 12:1-21; 14:1-23"
This post looks at how Christians are to view and interact with the government.
Biblical Reasons 