When are we saved: in the past, the present, or the future? I think about this question when I listen to people share their testimonies. They often say, “I was saved on such-and-such a date.” What they mean is that they came to Jesus on that date, whether in response to a public altar call or in the private of their own homes. For them, they were saved when they converted. But then I remember a remark attributed to the great theologian Karl Barth. He reportedly said that he was saved on or around A.D. 30. Barth’s point was that … Continue reading The Foundation of Christian Hope (Romans 5.9-11)

Whether we agree or disagree about the justice and advisability of our country’s war in Iraq, I think we can all agree that individual soldiers have demonstrated incredible heroism on the field of battle.One such soldier is Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. Here’s how his Medal of Honor citation describes his heroic actions: On [April 4, 2003], Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized … Continue reading Two Kinds of Heroism (Romans 5.6-8)

What are the benefits of justification by faith? Before I answer that question, let reiterate what we have learned so far about Paul’s letter to the Romans: The theme of Romans is “a righteousness that is by faith from first to last” (Romans 1.17). According to Romans 1.18-3.20, all people are sinners. Consequently, “no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin” (3.20). So, according to Romans 3.21-4.25, if anyone is declared righteous in God’s sight, it is because of faith-just as in the Old Testament, Abraham’s … Continue reading Peace and Hope (Romans 5.1-5)

Is faith an irrational leap in the dark, or a rational trust in the evidence? At first glance, Romans 4.18-25 seems to answer both ways. Here’s what Paul wrote: Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but … Continue reading Faith: Irrational or Rational? (Romans 4.18-25)