Theology for Everybody: Romansنموونە

In Christian history, Romans has been held in the highest esteem. In more recent years, the praise of Romans has continued. Here are some examples:

·Philip Schaff: “The Epistle to the Romans is the Epistle of the Epistles, as the Gospel of John is the Gospel of the Gospels.”

·Henry C. Thiessen: “This is in every sense the greatest of the Epistles of Paul, if not the greatest book in the New Testament.”

·William R. Newell: “[Romans is] probably the greatest book in the Bible.”

·Barclay M. Newman and Eugene A. Nida: “If the apostle Paul had written nothing else, he would still be recognized as one of the outstanding Christian thinkers of all time on the basis of this letter alone.”

·Frédéric Louis Godet: “The pious Sailer used to say, ‘O Christianity, had thy one work been to produce a St. Paul, that alone would have rendered thee dear to the coldest reason.’ May we not be permitted to add: And thou, O St. Paul, had thy one work been to compose an Epistle to the Romans, that alone would have rendered thee dear to every sound reason.”

·Richard A. Batey: “Paul’s epistle to the Romans stands among the most important pieces of literature in the intellectual history of Western man.”

Of all the great Christian leaders influenced by Romans, John Bunyan studied the letter while being held in the Bedford jail. Romans so inspired him that he felt compelled to write the now legendary Puritan book Pilgrim’s Progress.

One Bible dictionary summarizes Romans’ place in Christian history, saying, "The Epistle to the Romans has also contributed significantly to the history of Christian doctrine. Almost every influential Christian thinker has dealt with Romans. Origen, Thomas Aquinas, and Philip Melanchthon, to mention only a few, wrote noteworthy commentaries on Romans. And numerous theological notions have been derived solely or in part from Romans. Augustine acquired his idea of original sin from Romans 5, Luther gained his understanding of justification by faith alone from Romans 3–4, John Calvin obtained his doctrine of double predestination from Romans 9–11, John Wesley got his distinctive teaching on sanctification from Romans 6 and 8. Karl Barth learned of the importance of the righteousness of God from Romans 1 and 2. In short, this epistle has exerted a powerful influence on all branches of the Christian Church. Its impact on the lives and thought of prominent Christian thinkers through the years has been second, perhaps, only to the canonical gospels."

Today’s Reflection

What impact did Romans have on you prior to salvation? What about after salvation?