Romans Lecture

Background

• Origin of the Roman Church - probably Christians migrating during the early Jesus movement or slaves of influential people
  • Though scholars are not entirely sure
• By the year 49 CE the early Christians were large enough to get on Roman radar
• Emperor Claudius was mad at Jews for rioting in Rome
  • Rioted because disturbance over Chrestus (probably a misspelling of Christ)
• Emperor Claudius was poisoned by his 4th wife Agrippina in 54 CE - Her son, Nero, becomes the next emperor
• Paul never visited the Roman church
• Romans - Represents Paul’s magnum opus ('“big work”)
  • Romans is Paul’s most influential work because - he summarizes his theology (especially soteriology) elegantly and it’s very polished, putting his best foot forward in order to woo the congregation
  • Soteriology - study of salvation
• Has a great legacy
  • Agustin - (Philosopher - 4th and early 5th century) probably had the most influence on Christianity and the early church other than Paul himself
  • Agustin was not a Christian - Ridiculed Christianity for what he perceived as dumb and wrong
  • Augustin became a Christian - after reading Romans during a life crisis
  • Roman congregation plays a large part of creating Christianity as we know it
  • Influential in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century
  • Martin Luther took it into the bathroom to read and decided that people would be saved by faith alone in Christ alone

Critical Issues: Purpose?

• Sponsorship to Spain - Paul wanted to head to Spain
• Intervention with Jerusalem - on his way back to Jerusalem, asking for prayer for the Jerusalem congregation and reconciliation together
• Unity with Jews and Gentiles - Jews wanted to move back in to Rome and the Gentiles and Jews needed to be unified
• Thesis - Romans 1:16

Themes: Salvation and Justification

• Justification - To be in a right relationship with God through Reconciliation
• Sin - overindulging in a good thing
• Brokenness and Healing - How are we broken? How do we need to be healed?
• Justified by Faith
  • Calvinism - John Calvin (predestination)
  • Arminianism - Jacob Arminius (foreknowledge)

Themes: Salvation and Righteousness

• Righteousness - The moral goodness of God displayed on the Cross and in HIs offer of salvation to all
• Imputed Righteousness - Because of Christ, God views us as righteous
• Effective Righteousness - Transformed into New Creations, able to live holy lives

Themes: Salvation and Death/Resurrection

• Image of Death and Resurrection as Salvation
  • Past - Romans 8:24 - Death
  • Present - Romans 6:10, 5:1 - Justification and righteousness is ongoing
  • Future - Romans 5:10 - Salvation

Themes: Universality of Salvation

• Gospel not just for Jews - Romans 5:18
• Salvation from Christ, not law - the law is insufficient because we cannot live up to it
• Hope that all of Israel will be saved - Romans 11:26
• Circumcision of the heart - Romans 22:29, circumcision is not to be taken literally… it is a matter of the heart
• Redemption of all creation - Romans 8:18

Themes: Women

• Phoebe - Romans 16:1, deaconess and carrier of the Romans letter
• Prisca - Prisca is always mentioned first (before her husband), at least an elder (maybe a head elder)
• Junia - Prominent among the apostles
• Egalitarian Leadership - women held the offices back in the day, so they can hold them now; the church just became too institutionalized

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