On The Sixth Day #2

Paul's letter to the believers in Rome [Romans] has been said to be "the most significant, the most logical the most doctrinally oriented of Paul's epistles." It is the only one he wrote to a church he had not yet visited. The Letter to the Romans had a direct impact on the faith, theology, writings and life of Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther, John Wesley and Karl Barth, among many others.

Augustine said, “To Paul I appeal from all interpreters of his writings.” Augustine finally became a believer after taking up and reading Romans 13:13-14.

In his “Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans”, Martin Luther said, “This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes ... .”

A further note: John Wesley's doubts were settled as he said, “That evening he reluctantly attended a meeting in Aldersgate. Someone read from Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to Romans. About 8:45 PM, “while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” Wesley had peace about his destiny and salvation. Although he might have experienced some doubt’s later, his writing and speaking was never again full of agony about this issue. Notice from his own words what brought this peace, “…I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins,…” It was faith in Christ that brought an end to Wesley’s doubts.

Today there is so much disagreement about this letter, so much misunderstanding, non-understanding and contention that the church - the Body of the Messiah-Savior-King, Jesus - has been divided in many cases, seemingly at least, based solely on the interpretation of this letter.

These posts are not going to repair those divisions or solve differences. The hope is that we will find a way to better understand one another.

(Source material from N T Wright, John Wesley, Martin Luther, ESV Study Bible, Orthodox Study Bible, et al)