Romans in Today's World

ROMANS IN TODAYS WORLD
In Light of Postmodernism by Roy H. Lanier, Jr.
Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002
What the Church Faces Today

My
heritage among Churches of Christ I view neither as a straightjacket that rigidly confines me nor as a light outer garment of no consequence that I can strip off at will. Rather, I view it as a worn but sturdy garment of faith that (with careful alterations) can yet serve me well.

It is one of the great conceits of our time to imagine that we can sweep away the past and simply begin all over again at the beginning. We cannot. For in a thousand and one ways (many of them unknown to us) our past and its traditions have made us what we are

and given us our identity. This
book therefore rests upon the conviction that we will find freedom to change, grow, and respond to new challenges only as we care about the past and listen to its voices. C. Leonard Allen, The Cruciform Church, Preface, p. x.

Can we accept the fact that we, like
every other human being, have a past and partake of its limitations? Or must we harbor the heady illusion of historylessness, the illusion that we have burst the bonds of finitude to soar above this mortal sphere? Allen, Cruciform, p. 9.

Second, Churches of Christ began as
a sect in the early nineteenth century and evolved into a denomination during the course of the twentieth century. The fact could hardly be striking, were it not for the fact..rejected these labelsas pertinent to their own identity.

Indeed, their resolute rejection of
these labels has been central to what Churches of Christ have been about for almost two hundred years. Since their denial of these categories flies in the face of social reality, their story is one of deep irony and absorbing interest Hughes, Ancient Faith, p.2.
Spectacles of John Locke

Our movement, in part as a result
of its historical epistemology, thrived. We perceived reality through the spectacles of John Locke, as mediated through the Scottish Enlightenment Olbricht, p. 53.
Historical Perspective
For my people have committed two
evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water Jeremiah 2:13. The weeping prophet speaks to Israel.
Surely as a wife treacherously
departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah Jer. 3:20.
they committed adultery, and
assembled themselves in troops at harlots houses; they were fed as horses roaming at large; every one neighed after his neighbors wife Jer. 5:7-8.
A wonderful and horrible thing has
come to pass in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will you do in the end thereof? Jer. 5:30-31.
Romans as a Book
Romans was written in Corinth by Paul
in 58 A. D. with Gaius as his host 16:23. He used an amanuensis, Tertius, and the letter probably was delivered by Phoebe 16:22; 16:1-2. It is heavy on doctrine (1-11), followed by the practical (12-16).
Romans as a Book
Paul desired to visit Rome 1:10-13. Perhaps this book took the place of a
personal visit until he could come. No record in the New Testament tells of the beginning of the church in Rome; perhaps it was from events on Pentecost Acts 2:10.
Romans as a Book
Justification is the major theme of
Romans.
A simple outline could be:
Justification 1-5 Sanctification 6-11 Application 13-16

Romans as a Book
Great doctrines are taught and
explained in Romans: Justification Law, law-keeping Obedience Faith Fellowship Sanctification

Romans as a Book
It has been called the cathedral of
Christian faith, Pauls masterpiece, most profound work ever written, and the door to all the treasures in the Scriptures. It answers the query, How can man be just before God? Job 9:2.
Romans 1
Righteousness 1:16-17 Wrath and Judgment 18-32 Absolutes in morals 18-32
Romans 1 -- Righteousness
For therein is revealed the
righteousness of God from faith unto faith, even as it is written, the just shall live by faith 1:17
Righteousness of God can have 2 meanings:
1. Gods holy nature within Himself. 2. Gods justification done for man. The word righteousness (dikaiosu/nh DIKAIOSUNE) is found 47 times in various forms in Romans. All but a few refer to what God did for man.
The righteousness of God in 1:17
refers to an act that God has performed on man and for the benefit of man. In a word, God has justified man. Justify, justification can be used as synonyms throughout Romans.
The ground of Gods justification of
man is faith. The meritorious cause is the blood of Jesus Christ. Justification is apart from lawkeeping. Such was the hope of many Jews. No such is found in Christ.
Faith unto Faith or Righteousness by Faith?

Gods righteous action, justifying
sinful man, is by faith. This righteous action, justifying sinful man, is able to be done on the principle of faith. This righteous action cannot come from law-keeping, even perfect lawkeeping.
Faith unto Faith or Righteousness by faith?

Faith does not obviate law. Law of faith is the way Paul began
the book of Romans, as well as ending the book Rom. 1:5; 16:20. Abraham was said to have steps of faith 3:27.
Walk in the Steps of Faith

walk in the steps is an interesting
concept. Walk is stoixou=sin, stoikousin, 3rd person plural, present indicative of stoixe/w, stoikeo, which means to advance in a line; met. To frame ones conduct by a certain rule Moulton, Lexicon, p. 377.
Walk in the Steps of Faith

Thus, walk means a continuous
framing of ones conduct by the rule of the gospel. Faith has steps of obedience and is consistent with the law of faith Rom. 3:27.
How is Righteousness Obtained?

It is announced by faith Rom. 1:17. It was so in O. T. days Rom. 1:17. It is a free gift Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8-9 Its merit is the blood of Christ. It is given to the obedient Heb. 5:9.
Abraham is the Example Romans 4:1-25.

He was justified by faith 4:2-3. It was while he was still in
uncircumcision 4:10 It was not done through the Law of Moses 4:13. His faith enabled him to perform 4:19-21.
Righteousness: When?
At the first point of faith? Abraham had prior faith, and was
justified prior to offering Isaac. This implies Abraham was walking correctly at that time. His steps of obedience showed him qualified for justification.
Righteousness: When?
In our case today, our walk in faith
means we repent and are baptized. It does not mean the first point at which we believe Jesus to be Gods Son and the Savior of the world. Gods willingness to justify us on this basis will encourage sinners.
Romans 1:18-32 Gods Perfect Wrath

Due to rebellion God gave them up
vv. 24, 26, 28. 1. Sin deceives. 2. Sin degrades the natural design by God. 3. Sin depraves the mind. 4.Sin deserves death.
Romans 1: Absolute Morals

24 deviations from God are listed
1:18-32. These morals have been Gods wishes from the time of creation. Men knew about God, but chose not to glorify Him as God. God therefore gave them up. In effect, man became his own god.
Moral Truths Have Not Changed.

Every conceivable sin has been since
Eden. No new sins are found today. Nor, or any sins absent today. Moral truths are principles consistent with the very nature of God. Violations of these principles are wrong because they are not like God.
Moral Truths Have Not Changed

Murder is still murder. Stealing is still theft. Adultery is still immoral mixing. Fornication is still filthy. Homosexuality is still aberrant and
shameful. Postmodernism wants tolerance of such immorality.

Tolerance of Immorality
Jesus Might Fit in at Cheers A
fantasy article where Jesus appears in the last episode of the TV program cheers, strolls through the door, and has a seat on the barstool next to Norm Mike Cope, Abilene Reporter News, Sunday, May 16, 1993.
In 1979, an organization known as
A Cappella Chorus was formed in Houston, Texas which claimed to be a fellowship of gay and lesbian members of the Houston area Churches of Christ Miller, Strait, p. 254.
The breakdown in the moral fiber
of our nations and the rejection of traditional American family values is taking its toll of members of the church
When one relaxes his or her doctrinal
convictions, the temptation is equally strong to weaken ones views and behavior with regard to what we typically call moral issuesa tendency to soften and be open-minded on matters of morality Dave Miller, Stait, p. 234.
Romans 6
Or are ye ignorant that all we who
were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life vv. 3-4
Connected to the Cross?

Only those things that are connected to
the core, the cross, are matters of fellowship. Baptism is connected, as well as the Lords Supper.

The only thing that prevents the
diversity of Scripture from collapsing into a jumbled mess is the Bibles center of gravity, its core

The core is summarized in the
simple confession of the early church, the conviction expressed countless times at baptism:our obedience to rules is not at the core Crux, pp. 170, 176

Habitual neglect of the doctrine of
grace produces distorted versions of the storyexposed itselfwhen preachers cannot bring themselves to talk about confession and belief (Romans 10:9) without adding, but of course baptism is necessary, etc. Crux, p. 177.

There are some doctrines and
practices, of course, which are nonnegotiablebaptism by immersion
for the forgiveness of sinsWe believe our weekly participation in the Lords Supper serves as an ongoing covenant to be people of the cross Crux, pp. 248-250
Connected? Then Why?

At times we have been extremely
sectarian by effectively denying that anyone outside our churches could be a true Christian because we were the only ones who taught and practiced the biblical doctrine of baptism Crux, p. 124.
Connected? Then Why?

Our identity is definedby our attitude toward others. Though its painful to admit, our exclusive attitude may be the character trait most widely known among outsiders Crux, pp. 133-134.
Baptism Near the Cross?

Upon what reasoning is baptism near
the cross? Who decides what principles are valid? Does the fact it is a command of Jesus enter into the decision? If so, what about other commands? If not, how can one love Jesus John 14:15?

Where does this leave adultery? Where does this leave fornication? Where does this leave murder? Where does this leave theft? What about lying? What about gossip? What about greed?

Where does this leave the church? Where does this leave prayer? Where does this leave women
preachers? Where does this leave giving? What about instrumental music?

Is repentance not a matter of concern? Does one have to confess faith in
Christ? Is sprinkling in lieu of immersion connected or not connected? Is infant baptism near or far?

What happens to a heretic? Is division of a congregation connected
or not? Is teaching about premillenialism near the cross?
Romans 6
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace (6:14).
Grace Without Law?

Grace and law are mutually
exclusive Charles Hodge, Strait, p. 212.
Many Uses of Law in Romans

1. Law of Moses - 2:12 2. Law of faith - 3:27 3. Any and all law (concept of law
in the abstract) - 6:14; 13:10
Many Uses of Law in Romans

4. Law of God in the inward man -
7:22 5. Law of sin - 7:23

6. Law of the Spirit of Life - 8:2 7. Law of God 8:7
Depend Upon Law-keeping?

Abraham did not - Gen. 12; 20. Paul did not - Rom. 5:1-2; 6:1, 14;
1Cor. 5:10.
Why make the same mistake the
Jews did - 10:3?
What About These Laws?

law of faith Rom. 3:27 under law to Christ 1 Cor. 9:21 fulfill the law of Christ Gal. 6:2 perfect law of liberty James 1:25 royal law James 3:8
Romans 6:14 Has an Ellipsis.

Pauls context is about justification. He has shown when, how, and where
the change takes place (baptism). He is affirming ye are not under law for the purpose of justification, but under grace (italics mine RHL). Paul does not deny law, rather, he puts it in its proper place.
Romans 6:14 Has an Ellipsis

A person is justified by grace, not
by perfect law-keeping.
A common error, particularly
among the Jews, was that they could do enough, obey enough, keep the law well enough to be justified.
Romans 6:14 Has an Ellipsis.

Paul stays true to the context by
using an ellipsis. Jesus used a similar ellipsis John 6:27. (only) Today, there are voices of error, distorting the doctrine of grace.
Grace Questioned?
I spent too many years of my
Christian life not knowing what grace was. The only thing I knew for sure was that we didnt believe in it Jim Hackney, Strait, p. 212.
Grace Questioned?
In spite of years of negative,
legalistic, guilt-trip preaching, I discovered GRACE! I had absolutely nothing to do with my own salvation Jim Hackney, Handley Herald, Strait, p. 212.
Grace Questioned?
Nobody has any right to preach
anything other than the Gospel of pure grace. We are saved by grace plus nothing. You are saved by faith period. There is nothing you can do to be saved. There are no rules; there are no regulations in serving Jesus Christ Glen Owen, Strait, p. 212.
Grace Questioned?
It is a scandalous and outrageous lie
to teach that salvation arises from human activity. We do not contribute one whit to our salvation Rubel Shelley, Strait, p. 212.
Grace Questioned?
For me, for years, Christianity was a
moral code. It is now becoming a love affair. For years, there were rules and regulations, now, its a relationship Max Lucado, Strait, p. 212.
Grace Questioned?
I believe deeply that the New
Testament teaches that salvation is a free gift of God period. You are saved by grace alone.There is no human part of salvation Randy Mayeux, Strait, p. 212.
Distorted and Anemic Gospel?

In view of the displacement of the
crosswhat was left was a distorted and anemic gospel. The gospel of grace became the gospel of duty, law, and perfect obedience. Covenant, we might say, became a contract Allen, Cruciform, p. 122.
Gods Grace Always Conditional

Noah found grace Gen. 6:8
Faith was the principle that caused him to build the ark Heb. 11:6. Yet, he had to build an ark. Obedience was coupled with faith.
Gods Grace Always Conditional

Jericho was Gods gift. See, I have given into thy hand
Jericho Josh. 6:2. Yet the Israelites were to compass the city for 7 days, blow the trumpets, and shout 6:3-21. Faith was coupled with obedience for the gift.
Ephesians were saved by grace.

They heard the gospel 1:13 They believed the gospel 1:13 They repented Acts 20:21 They confessed Acts 19:18 They were baptized Acts 19:1-5 Yet they were the ones Paul said were saved by grace!
Paul was saved by grace.

I am what I am by the grace of God
1 Cor. 15:10. Have we thought of tracing his conversion to Christ? Was he saved in some special way? Was he saved by the special appearance of Jesus to him?
Paul was saved by grace.

He heard Ananias preach the gospel. His 3-day episode in Damascus
showed his penitence. His teaching about confession implies that he confessed Rom. 10:9-10. He shared a burial in baptism with the Roman Christians Rom. 6:3-4.
Pattern Orthodoxy?
The first thing to say is that our early
leaders, like many Protestant theologians of their day, naturalized the Bible as a scientific book of facts. To do this they drew uponBaconian Philosophy, the seventeenth-century pioneer of the scientific method.
Pattern Orthodoxy
One can hardly exaggerate the
significance of Baconian inductive method, for it gave rise, a generation after Campbell, to stringent pattern orthodoxy that has formed the very identity of Churches of Christ down to recent years. Allen, Cruciform, pp. 28, 29.
Violate the Character of the Bible?

(2) By elevating scientific models of
thinking, our traditional approach violated the historical and literary character of the Bible(3)has restricted our spiritual resources for dealing with the advanced secularization of our time Allen, p.
32.
The Deception of Core Doctrine

The Crux affirms that baptism and the
Lords Supper are near to the cross, connected to the cross, therefore they are core doctrines that cannot be left off. What about other teachings of our Lord?
The Deception of Core Doctrine

Who is to decide what is core and
connected? Upon what basis are such distinctions to be made? Is this inductive reasoning? If so, why can these authors use such reasoning but deny it to others?
Receive One Another Romans 15:7

Does this refer to all believers in
Jesus as Gods Son? Does this refer then to Roman Catholics? Does it refer to most denominations? Does this refer to the Disciples Christian churches? Just to whom does this refer?
Receive One Another?

In context it completes the
argument of chapter 14. Chapter 14 explains matters of liberty and opinion that must not divide the congregation. Eating meats, any kind, not just what is offered to idols. Eating only vegetables.

Christians have their individual
choices. Such choices must not hurt one another. Such choices must not divide the church.

This does not have to do with
worship. These things are between individual persons. These matters are not about corporate body actions. These are actions left to personal choice and conscience (faith).

The Lord has no specific
instructions about these choices except such should not destroy any brother.
If one applies this to fellowship with
denominations, then it is taken out of context and misapplied.


These matters are not Kingdom
matters according to Paul Rom. 14:16-17.
Straw-man?
What our postmodern brethren are
doing is building a straw-man. The straw-man is their own invention. They build up a false case of supposed facts, distorted and misapplied. They re-write history. Then, they proceed to tear the strawman all to pieces.
Straw-man?
How easy! How simple! How Untrue! But, O how beguiling?
Postmodern Straw-man
The modern Church of Christ began in the
Stone-Campbell Movement. For forty years we knew everything right and practiced everything right (20s-60s). It is Pharisaic exclusivism to reject fellowship with denominations. We are mean-spirited and judgmental. Many leaving due to these attitudes.
Patternism is unsophisticated legalism. The New Testament is not our pattern. We cannot get out of our history and
culture in understanding the Bible. Reliance on facts of the Bible blinds. The core is more important than epistles.
Our history and culture will not let us
restore the church of the N. T. Which church would you want to restore? (Corinth, Ephesus, Colossae?) Changing human conditions demand response changes.
Reliance on commands, examples, and
inferences is unsophisticated and unreliable. Members would be better off leaving Bible interpretation to scholars (a subtle underlining!). Our scholars are highly educated, more so than our forefathers or preachers, so listen to them.
What Is the Bottom Line?

If, however, Campbell got out of his
culture and went back to the N. T.; why cant we? Hundreds of groups in other countries in our lifetimes have done so, though never hearing of Stone or Campbell! Postmodernism affirms we are just one denomination that began in the StoneCampbell Movement.

The power of the gospel is denied
Rom. 1:16-17. The principle of seed is denied Luke 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:22-25. The true meaning of the vine and branches is perverted John 15:1-6.

Is the body of Christ singular? Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:12, 20. Is the temple of God plural? 1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:21-22. Are there many holy nations, elect races, several peoples for Gods own possession? 1 Pet. 2:9.
What is The Bottom Line?

Many of our scholars in the church
today can no longer affirm this?

Most of them dodge, waffle, and use
words with different meanings than we do.

Thessalonica imitated the churches in
Judea (1 Thess. 2:14). This was written in 53 A. D., 20 years after the church began in Jerusalem. If Thessalonica could imitate, or restore, why cannot it still be done in all generations?

Should we restore Corinth, Ephesus, or
Laodicea with all their faults? How ridiculous is this question! We can restore the ideal of the church. We can restore what Jesus built, of what he is the head, the bridegroom, and the savior, that precious one body.
Restoration is Valid
Josiah restored the Passover by going
back to the Book of the Law 2 Kings 22-23. Ezra and Nehemiah restored the Feast of the Tabernacles by reading and obeying the Law Nehemiah 8. Whenever the gospel is read and followed, restoration can occur.
Restoration Is Valid.
Cox Mountain, Jamaica 1962 Personal visit Group found with no previous contact
with any members of the church or any materials. They just read and obeyed the Bible.
I AM PUZZLED!!!
In whose hands is the Bible to be left? Are we to leave the Bible with the
scholars, the intelligentsia, the sophisticated? What has happened to the idea of the common person picking up a KJV of the Bible, reading it, and going to heaven? What about non-USA churches?
I AM PUZZLED !
Did the Lord leave us with an
instruction book that can only be read properly by scholars? Or, did He leave us with the Truth, which we can know, and by which we can be made free? John 8:31-32.
I Am Puzzled!
Can an ordinary person still pick up a
KJV, read it, understand it, follow it, and go to heaven? Or, does he need the interpretation and aid of our Postmodern scholars?
I Am Puzzled!
What about all those congregations
that have been found in other countries? They know not the Stone-Campbell Movement. Can they be accurate? Can they go to heaven?
I Am Puzzled!
Our postmodern scholars do not
answer my puzzlement. The Lord does! If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free John 8:31-32. AMEN!
References
C. Leonard Allen, The Cruciform
Church, (Abilene Christian University

Press, Abilene, Texas, 1990)
Jeff W. Childers, Douglas A. Foster,
Jack R. Reese, The Crux of the Matter, (A. C. U. Press, Abilene, Texas, 2001).
Richard T. Hughes, Reviving the
Ancient Faith, (William B.

Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996).
William E. Jones, Forces At Work,
(Resource Publications, Searcy, Arkansas, 1991).

Dave Miller, Piloting the Strait,
(privately published, Bedford, Texas, 1996, pre-publication manuscript).

Harold K. Moulton, The Analytical
Greek Lexicon Revised, a revision of Bagsters Analytical Greek Lexicon, 1852 (Zondervan
Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978).
Thomas H. Olbricht, Hearing Gods
Voice, (ACU Press, Abilene, Texas,

1996).
William Woodson, Change Agents
and Churches of Christ, (School of

Bible Emphasis, Athens, Alabama, 1994 printed by Sain Publications, Pulaski, Tennessee).
Mike Cope, A Purpose Statement,
Wineskins, Volume One, Number

One, p. 6, and Traumatic Winds of Renewal, Volume Four, pp. 5-6.
Randall Harris, An Open Bible,
Wineskins, Volume One, Number

Nine, p. 8.
Marvin Phillips, Free To Differ,

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ROMANS IN TODAYS WORLD

In Light of Postmodernism by Roy H. Lanier, Jr.

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

What the Church Faces Today

What the Church Faces Today

What the Church Faces Today

What the Church Faces Today

What the Church Faces Today

What the Church Faces Today

Spectacles of John Locke

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Justification 1-5 Sanctification 6-11 Application 13-16

explained in Romans: Justification Law, law-keeping Obedience Faith Fellowship Sanctification

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Faith unto Faith or Righteousness by Faith?

Faith unto Faith or Righteousness by faith?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Walk in the Steps of Faith

Walk in the Steps of Faith

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

How is Righteousness Obtained?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Abraham is the Example Romans 4:1-25.

Romans 1:18-32 Gods Perfect Wrath

Romans 1: Absolute Morals

Moral Truths Have Not Changed.

Moral Truths Have Not Changed

shameful. Postmodernism wants tolerance of such immorality.

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Connected to the Cross?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Connected to the Cross?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Connected to the Cross?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Connected to the Cross?

Connected to the Cross?

practices, of course, which are nonnegotiablebaptism by immersion

Connected? Then Why?

Connected? Then Why?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Baptism Near the Cross?

Connected to the Cross?

Connected to the Cross?

Connected to the Cross?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Connected to the Cross?

or not? Is teaching about premillenialism near the cross?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Grace Without Law?

exclusive Charles Hodge, Strait, p. 212.

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Many Uses of Law in Romans

in the abstract) - 6:14; 13:10

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Many Uses of Law in Romans

7:22 5. Law of sin - 7:23

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002

Depend Upon Law-keeping?

Jews did - 10:3?

Roy H. Lanier, Jr. - Southern Ridge Church of Christ - December, 2002