Romans

Some of our most cherished beliefs, songs, and platitudes are based on proof-texting, which means that the original historical and literary context of the Bible is ignored.

Does Romans 9-11 teach Calvinist predestination? In this Seven Minute Seminary, Ben Witherington explains that Paul's aim is to refute the idea that God now favored the Romans, or Gentiles, rather than the Jews. In the process, he explains how the terms predestination, election, and salvation relate—or don't relate—to one another.

One of the most insidious tendencies is to see all of Scripture through the lens of Romans. This bias goes way back in history.

Christians are very familiar with the "Roman Road" way of explaining salvation and doing evangelism. But what if it leads you down the wrong way? In this article, Ken Roach argues that this reading of Romans misunderstands the point Paul is making and ultimately obscures the vision of salvation presented in the New Testament.

Some point to Romans 7 as the proof-text for the saint-sinner paradox, suggesting that if even the apostle Paul struggled with his unrelenting flesh, Christians must face defeat in certain areas of their Christian life. On the contrary, Ben Witherington suggests that ancient rhetoric illuminates the passage in a way that eliminates Paul as the subject of this passage and paints a more optimistic picture of God's sanctifying grace.

Dr. Ben Witherington III offers us an introduction to the book of Romans, highlighting key points of background history that are important to keep in mind as we read the letter. In doing so, he reminds us that the work is an occasional letter, not a systematic treatment of or introduction to Christian doctrine.

The truth is that grace, or gift, was not a concept unique to the Christian faith in the first century. In fact, even pagan religion afforded grace a role in the relationship between the gods and their followers. What makes the grace of the Christian gospel unique? In today's Seven Minute Seminary video, Dr. John Barclay explains that it's the nature of the recipients—us—that is so telling about the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

In Romans 8, Paul finally talks at length about the Christian life, and it is not an accident that there are some twenty references to the Holy Spirit.

Listen in on Steve Martyn and Ken Collins as they host a series preaching through John Wesley's sermons, arranged topically according to the Order of Salvation. This week, enjoy The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption (Romans 8:15). Check back every Sunday for a new sermon.

Listen in on Steve Martyn and Ken Collins as they host a series preaching through John Wesley's sermons, arranged topically according to the Order of Salvation. This week, enjoy Free Grace (Romans 8:32). Check back every Sunday for a new sermon.