Romans Lecture

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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