Not a question, though maybe it is. I really enjoyed the discussion prompted by JD's struggles regarding the law being a catalyst to sin. In part of the discussion, Scott mentioned that God's mercy is often removing from us the consequences of our decisions, while his justice is often just letting us experience our sins' consequences.
This reminded me of the accounts of King Saul's elevation in I Samuel. The people of Israel asked for a king, and God told them no, they really didn't. If they had a king, he would demand money, and soldiers, and other things. The people insisted, so God granted it. Sure enough, the king wanted all of those things.
Of course, God anointed David to be Saul's successor, but even he did not raise a hand against Saul, despite having many opportunities to do so. David knows that, despite all his faults, Saul is still God's anointed king. He is imperfect (as is David).
Not to overstretch the analogy, but even this connection finds its fulfillment in Christ. Just as the law (Deuteronomy, and circumcision) does not save, it is still God's law, and is good in the same way as King Saul is God's anointed. But the kingship of Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus, much as circumcision finds its fullness in Baptism.
Am I stretching this too far, or is this maybe a good starting point to understand the last few chapters? Thanks!
I was intrigued hearing that the Hebrew language used letters of the alphabet as numbers? For example, when the OT text reads that 10,000 of the enemy were killed?
It seemed like it might have to do with the verse that seems to suggest that God intentionally subjected all of creation to futility. Why would He do that?
The Intro episode gave a great overview of the context Romans, and how to read it as a letter first, a letter by a certain type of preacher to a concrete Christian community in a particular time. That explanation has stayed with me for each episode. Is it possible to do such an (abbreviated) intro to each of Paul’s letters? I imagine a few fit into that same paradigm (Ephesians, Galatians, etc.), but his letters to particular people probably have different interpretative (maybe interpersonal is a better word?) lenses to help a reader like myself.
Keep up the good work, another aspect of your publication that makes the price (increase) worth it!
I just wanted to congratulation Dr. Kate Olivera on her great accomplishment of earning her doctorate while on vacation! So sneaky of JD to pretend to not tell us what she was doing on her break from the show and then go ahead and tell us anyway! Congratulations!! :-D
Not a question, though maybe it is. I really enjoyed the discussion prompted by JD's struggles regarding the law being a catalyst to sin. In part of the discussion, Scott mentioned that God's mercy is often removing from us the consequences of our decisions, while his justice is often just letting us experience our sins' consequences.
This reminded me of the accounts of King Saul's elevation in I Samuel. The people of Israel asked for a king, and God told them no, they really didn't. If they had a king, he would demand money, and soldiers, and other things. The people insisted, so God granted it. Sure enough, the king wanted all of those things.
Of course, God anointed David to be Saul's successor, but even he did not raise a hand against Saul, despite having many opportunities to do so. David knows that, despite all his faults, Saul is still God's anointed king. He is imperfect (as is David).
Not to overstretch the analogy, but even this connection finds its fulfillment in Christ. Just as the law (Deuteronomy, and circumcision) does not save, it is still God's law, and is good in the same way as King Saul is God's anointed. But the kingship of Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus, much as circumcision finds its fullness in Baptism.
Am I stretching this too far, or is this maybe a good starting point to understand the last few chapters? Thanks!
I was intrigued hearing that the Hebrew language used letters of the alphabet as numbers? For example, when the OT text reads that 10,000 of the enemy were killed?
I read in a bio that Dr Powell wrote his doctoral dissertation on Romans. https://sjvdenver.edu/blog/2023/06/05/june-newsletter/ Would he mind giving us the gist of it?
It seemed like it might have to do with the verse that seems to suggest that God intentionally subjected all of creation to futility. Why would He do that?
The Intro episode gave a great overview of the context Romans, and how to read it as a letter first, a letter by a certain type of preacher to a concrete Christian community in a particular time. That explanation has stayed with me for each episode. Is it possible to do such an (abbreviated) intro to each of Paul’s letters? I imagine a few fit into that same paradigm (Ephesians, Galatians, etc.), but his letters to particular people probably have different interpretative (maybe interpersonal is a better word?) lenses to help a reader like myself.
Keep up the good work, another aspect of your publication that makes the price (increase) worth it!
I just wanted to congratulation Dr. Kate Olivera on her great accomplishment of earning her doctorate while on vacation! So sneaky of JD to pretend to not tell us what she was doing on her break from the show and then go ahead and tell us anyway! Congratulations!! :-D