Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Romans 2:14-15 commonly mutilated? | 1 Cor 2:14 | Reighnskye | 133413 | ||
I have many times heard a common mutilation of scripture within the organized religion, which is perhaps solely based upon a misapplication of the following scripture text out of Romans 2:12-16. Romans 2 12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. (NAS95) - The common mutilation/misapplication of this particular text conveys the idea that those who never hear the Gospel of Jesus (in their own native language) will be saved solely through the state of their own conscience, apart from the Gospel message. (For example, the aborigine in Africa, where they don't have cars, indoor plumbing, lightbulbs, or bibles.) Romans 2:12-16 (verses 14 and 15 particularly) is often said to refer to people who have never heard the Gospel message of Jesus. However, I suggest that this is the farthest thing from the truth. I suggest that the text rather conveys that the Gentile believer lacks a knowledge of the Old Testement Law of Moses (the Ten Commandments and such), and therefore can yet be saved without a knowledge of Jusaism that was typically only had by the Jews. However, the text does not say that Gentiles don't need to hear the Gospel of Jesus in order to be saved. It rather simply says that exposure to the Law of Moses is not necessary. Please reread the text and notice the many references to the Old Testament Law of Moses as opposed to the New Testament Gospel of Christ. In other words, the Gentile need only hear the Gospel of Jesus, without reference to the Old Testament Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments, in order to be saved. A knowledge of Old Testament Judaism is unnecessary for purposes of salvation, as Gentiles were not commonly afforded that knowledge, as the Jews were. Paul later seems to reinforce the necessity of the Gospel message for Gentiles in Romans 10:14-17: Romans 10 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (NAS95) Although God's voice through the Law of Moses (and even the creation itself) be wholly resisted and denied, nonetheless the word of Christ is yet capable of inspiring faith in darkened and ignorant unbelievers. - Comments? True? False? - Blessings, Reighnskye |
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2 | Romans 2:14-15 commonly mutilated? | 1 Cor 2:14 | greentwiga | 140717 | ||
Dear Reighnskye I prefer to keep Rom 2 in context. The closest context is Rom 3. Rom 2 then seems like a straw dog of Paul's. Paul theorizes that All who obey the law will be saved. Rom 2:10,13,16. In that passage, he talks of the theoretical Gentile that obeys the law written on his heart. Then in Rom 3:9 he begins. All are under sin. There is not one righteous. 20 no one will be declared righteous by observing the law. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I believe that Paul is showing God to be righteous by showing that everyone equally had the chance to be saved by obeying the law revealed to them and all equally failed. Therefore, we all need the grace offered because Jesus died on the cross, and we need to send missionaries to the whole world. Yes, those who take Rom 2 out of context preach a salvation by works. Greentwiga |
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3 | Romans 2:14-15 commonly mutilated? | 1 Cor 2:14 | Emmaus | 140796 | ||
Greentwiga, One could say that the proper context for Romans 2:14-15 is found between Romans 1:5 and Romans 16:26 which are the bookends of Romans that speak of "the obedience of faith" which is the obedience of a member of God's family as contrasted with the obedience of a slave who is not in the family, but rather under the Law. This is brought out in more detail in Romans 6-8 and 12-15, but especially in 8:1-16. See also Galatians 4:21-31 in relationship with Romans 9. Emmaus |
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4 | Romans 2:14-15 commonly mutilated? | 1 Cor 2:14 | greentwiga | 140811 | ||
True, you are following the general context and getting to the final argument. I was following the specific context. Just looking at the general context leaves one with two contridictory ideas on salvation. I was just supplementing your arguments on Rom 6-8 and 12-15 with Rom 3. This leaves us with just the one way of salvation. In Rom 2-3 Paul mentions the phrase, "I am just using a human argument" which might be also applicable for much of Rom 2. Keep preaching the Gospel. It is the only way to God. Greentwiga |
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