Romans 5, Introduction
Jul 16th, 2009 by Micah Tillman | Start the Discussion |
[ Romans 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5: Intro, 1-11, 12, 12-14, 15, 16-21, Summary ]
Are you excited?
Well, you should be. This is the chapter from which theologians after Paul developped the Doctrine of Original Sin.
But I’ll deal with that when I come to it.
Right now, it’s time for overview.
____
In chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul pushes his case for unity back beyond Abraham — the physical ancestor of some of his listeners, and the spiritual ancestor of all of them — to Adam — the physical ancestor of them all.
Don’t believe in Adam? Read up on Y-Chromosomal Adam and Mitocondrial Eve before you draw extremely skeptical conclusions. (And remember that Wikipedia’s job is just to get you started, not to tell you the “current state of research.”)
____
Paul’s argument: the fact that we’re all made righteous in the same way points us once again to the fact that we’re all in the same boat, and got there in the same way.
That we have all become part of the family of Abraham through the righteousness that is by faith reminds us that we are all part of the family of Adam.
“You can’t escape the fact that you’re family, you Romans!” Paul is saying. “Now, live like it!”
____
[ Romans 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5: Intro, 1-11, 12, 12-14, 15, 16-21, Summary ]
