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Romans World View

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ROMANS AND THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW

Presented to Prof John Markley Liberty University

for BIBL 425 - Romans

by Shawn A. Wenzel

San Diego, CA August 2011

The book of Romans, although not written for the purpose of teaching systematic theology, is one of the most foundational books in the New Testament concerning Theology. Paul wrote this letter to the Roman Christians who were made up of both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. The occasion for writing had to do with reconciling some cultural and historical differences between these two groups. Of course, the explanation Paul offers fits perfectly into a Worldview treatise because he is sharing a Gospel view of history and tying it to the Gospel view of the present and future. To begin with, Romans chapters one and two show the complete depravity of man. Any Biblical worldview must be predicated properly on the basic truth that man is not God and cannot operate in any successful fashion apart from God. Paul points out the pending judgment of God for both Gentiles (Romans 1:18-32) and Jews (Romans 2:1-3:8). Much of Romans deals with the creation itself. Adam is shown to be the father of human nature, and therefore, sin. We are all born sinners (Rom. 5:12) because we have inherited it. So, just as sin entered all mankind through one man, Godʼs free gift of salvation is also available for all (rom 5:12-14). It is pointed out that the result of sin is that it brings death, and without a blood sacrifice there is no redemption (Rom. 6:23). It is further emphasized that salvation is not and cannot be obtained through obeying the law (Rom 3:19-20). The law is that standard of Godʼs righteousness that was given to show the need for redemption. The law does not bring about death itself. It does however, show our own sin nature that does lead to death.

Christians in the first century, much like those of

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