Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Don’t think of the Bible as an “old book.” It is an eternal book. When books are old, they become outdated, but eternal books are always current and timely. In this prophetic passage of Romans, we discover what happened many years ago and what is happening today. It has always been happening. Does this sound familiar?

·Step 1: Reject God as repressive and outdated. He limits our progress.

·Step 2: Reject parents and the older generations as repressive and outdated. They limit our freedom toward progress.

·Step 3: Feed our debased minds. Begin to declare wisdom and liberation from outdated beliefs and behaviors. ·Step 4: Rebel by dismantling all external morality and authority beyond our individual selves.

·Step 5: Align with other rebels and militantly defend one another as a mob.

·Step 6: Tear down any institutions that hold opposing values in the name of justice.

·Step 7: Pressure everyone in society to approve of, endorse, and support our rebellion, or they will face our wrath.

Does the Bible seem “judgy” to you? It is judgy if, by that, we mean the Bible takes sin seriously and pronounces judgment upon it. Paul is describing not only what happens in the Roman Empire but also what happens in any culture that turns against God. He’s not giving us a historical record. Paul is telling us what always happens, and it is happening today.

I understand some people will have objections to what I am saying, but I am willing to address those concerns. First, some will say times have changed, and we have evolved beyond the morality of the book of Romans. But have times really changed? The Old Testament forbids sexual sin. The New Testament forbids sexual sin. Some of the books of the Bible were written almost 1,800 years apart. God didn’t change His mind for almost 2,000 years while the Bible was being written. What makes us think He suddenly had an epiphany over the last 2,000 years? Times really haven’t changed. Paul wrote the book of Romans to the believers in the great city of Rome. Rome developed its sexual morality from the Greek culture, which was very pro-homosexuality. In fact, the Greeks believed men were better than women, so the highest form of sex was between men. Consequently, most young boys were encouraged to lose their virginity to an older man. Times haven’t changed.

Second, some will say God has changed. The Bible clearly says God does not change, and Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God does not change, and when He created the world, He made it right. (Continued on Day 46...)

Today’s Reflection

What would you say to someone if they called the Bible “judgy”?