Biblical Worldview in Romans Essay

Biblical Worldview in Romans Essay

Jonathan Collier

Bible 110: New Testament Survey

May 23, 2016

The book of Romans, Paul’s letter to Christians in Rome, contains a wealth of knowledge that characterizes Christian life. His teachings lay foundational blocks that are vital in establishing and defending a biblical worldview. These foundational blocks are such things as the nature and attributes of God, Creation, sin, and salvation; as well as ethics and eschatology. While the book in its entirety does not address all of the elements needed to establish a biblical worldview, Paul’s letter does, however, contain a wealth of information that when applied, has the potential to shape how we see the world around us. It is within these six characteristics where Paul lays out a solid foundation for establishing, as well as defending a biblical worldview.

God: the center of it all

A biblical worldview hinges around God and our faithfulness towards him.  Paul describes God as being eternally powerful and having a divine nature (1:20) After all, as Christians, we accept the truth that God not only is who he says he is, but he is also the divine creator of the universe; He spoke his creation into existence; God is the Giver of life(4:17). Moreover, Paul points out that while God is unseen, Gods attributes can be seen in all of his creation as well as within mankind. This assertion means that since Gods attributes are within each and every one of us because we were made in Gods image (Gen. 1:27), we are without excuse when it comes to living within the truth.  Paul reminds us that God is also immortal and by dishonoring him and exchanging his glory for worldly idols we exhibit ungodliness and fall subject to his wrath (1:22). Furthermore, because we accept this truth, we are required to make his truth known to those around us. Paul defends this by reminding that God is righteous (1:17) and that while he loves us (5:5,8) his wrath (1:18) is justifiable to those who exhibit ungodliness. God also executes judgment and truth. Paul reminds us of this when he says that “we must ALL give an account of himself to God (14:12.” What Paul is driving home is that Just as much as God is merciful, and forgiving, he is also truthful and makes it abundantly clear that we have a duty to honor and obey him in all that we do.

Creation: Natural creation & Humanity

Paul references Gods creation in two areas of his letter to the Romans. First, he reminds us of God the creator in 1:25, as God being immortal, divine and having eternal power in relation to his creation 1:20-23. In these passages, Paul is reminding us that we are Gods creation and evidence of his creation can be found in each and every one of us. We are also reminded that we are to be righteous and glorify Gods truth, because, since his creation has been made known to us, we are without excuse. Paul also reminds us that Gods creation as a whole will one day be set free and will be adopted, redeemed, and reunited with our creator.

At the time of Paul’s letter, he is speaking to a society whose human nature as driven them from godliness and has spiraled into moral depravity: much like present society. Paul is speaking of people who were completely ungodly, they were wicked, greedy, and sexually immoral. Paul even described them as “God-haters” (1:30). These were people who knew God, acknowledged his creation, yet still turned from him resulting in God delivering them over to their degrading passions (1:26). Our human nature is to go against the grain, the grain here is God. We have an innate sin nature which drives us against the creator and towards ungodliness, which is in stark contrast to a biblical worldview.

Sin: How it happened.

Sin entered into Gods creation in the beginning, in the garden of Eden through one man. Since that time sin spread to all mankind causing a separation from the creator. Moreover, Paul reminds us that the consequences of sin are death (7:7). And without a savior, we remain spiritually separated from God, forever. The need for a savior is made evident in 6:23 which says “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The consequences of sin and the need for a savior are evidenced by Paul in chapters 1:18-3:20 where we learn

Salvation: The Answer

Paul’s letter to the Romans speaks a great deal about salvation, the need for a savior, and what it means to be a Christ-follower. There is such an emphasis placed on salvation in the book of Romans that an entire method of presenting God’s gift of salvation called the “Romans Road” has been developed. We learn that through sin we are dead to god, separated from him. Even though he loves us, we can never atone for our sins on our own. Salvation only comes from the gift offered by God which was the death of his Son. Paul tells us that, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the scripture says, everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,” (10:9-11). Paul also enlightens us as to what it meant to be Justified by our faith in 3:22-26. Paul is saying that mankind cannot do anything on its own to obtain justification; because Justification can only be obtained as a gift from God through the sacrifice of Jesus. Paul is also showing us that Jesus mission was to show a covenant founded on faith and not solely on works. In short, or works mean nothing without faith.