This posting is for the Killearn UMC Bible Study on Romans that I lead, but those who are interested in following along at home or even posting your own thoughts as a response are invited to do so. Below you will find questions for thought that we will discuss in class this Sunday 1/23/05.
1) Both Wesley and Calvin comment on Paul's statement in 5:1 that we have peace with God as a result of our being justified by faith. Wesley notes that we have peace, hope, love, and power over sin as a result of our justification through faith, and says that each corresponds to chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Romans. Calvin defines the peace spoken of here as "tranquility of conscience", also defined as reconciliation with God. Given these statements, consider the following question
--Today many people do not accept the morals and claims of scripture, and some doubt the existence or relevance of a concrete moral law. As a result, they may not be as emotionally troubled by sin as the person born in church who is living contrary to scripture. Think of all the ways in which peace and reconciliation occurs between us and God and what would are the different ways to explain the concept.
2) Martin Luther stated that before good or bad works can happen there has to be present in the heart either faith or unbelief. In verse two we read that we have access to the grace of God (God's favor and kindness, as Luther calls it) through Christ by our faith. We also read that we can now stand on this grace and rejoice in hope of the "Glory of God", which includes all his attributes, including his personality, actions, and purposes. This being the case, consider the following:
--In what ways does is the dicta of Luther that faith/unbelief must precede good or bad works proven true or false by our observation of Christians and unbelievers?
--Paul says that we can now "stand" on the grace (favor) of God and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. What does it mean in the passage to stand on his grace? What aspects of God's glory give us hope?
3) In verses 3-5 Paul states that Christians are to "rejoice in our sufferings" because of the positive effects these have on our will, character and spiritual life. Wesley states that the Christian accepts such things as a token of fatherly love that prepares us for greater happiness. Calvin posits that Christians are to glory in difficulties because they are are provided by God for our good.
--Do you agree that our sufferings are from God? Why did you give the answer you gave? What do you think of the following statement by Luther?: The positive characterestics formed by suffering follow where faith is genuine. The reason they follow is because of the overwhelming good will (grace) God has shown us through Christ's atonement.
4) In verses 6-8, Paul tells us that Christ has died for each of us despite our not having acted in such a way as to merit such a sacrifice. By making such a sacrifice, Paul states that Christ demonstrated his love for us. Luther, Wesley and Calvin all echo these statements.
--How is it that Christ's sacrifice on the cross is different than that made by regular persons who give their lives for other people? Think about not only what it accomplished, but also who the sacrifice is for.
5) In verses 9-11, Paul elaborates on his teaching in verse 1 that we are justified (found innocent) through faith by saying we are justified by Christ's blood. He then argues that since this is the case, we are also saved from God's wrath through Christ. However, reconciliation is apparently only part of the story because he goes on to say that a further reconciliation occurs because of His resurrection. This further reconciliation refers to as our being saved.
--Wesley states that God's expression of wrath and love differ from the human expression of these things. Do you agree? If so, explain how they differ.
--What do you suppose that the further reconciliation (that Paul goes so far as to call being saved) entails? Name everything you can think of. What exactly did Christ's death accomplish and what exactly does his resurrection accomplish?
Links to Class Resources (click on them and save in favorites if you haven't already)
Luther on Romans
Wesley's Explanatory Notes on Romans
Calvin on Romans
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