Final Flashcards
How would you explain what Romans 5 teaches about original sin? How does this compare/contrast with other views?
Christ and Adam’s works have humanity-wide implications in 3:21-26 and 5:12-21. Adam plunged the human race into sin and Christ saves the many out of that sin; both are effectual
Adam released sin into the world as a domineering power
Federal headship (covenant principle of the one representing the many)
Original sin is proven by death
Opposing View: we sin, therefore we’re sinners
In what way is the focus of Romans 6 an implication or a continuation of Paul’s argument in Romans 5?
Paul argued for 3 things in Romans 5:
- Two realms (Adam and Christ)
- Christians are now in the realm of Christ (grace)
- We are set free from sin by being in Christ
In Romans 6, Paul also establishes 3 things:
- If we are in Christ, new creatures, we ought to act like it
- The gospel is against antinomianism (the moral law still stands as a way of life, though we are no longer under its condemnation)
- Baptism (symbolizes realm transfer and union with Christ)
Who is the “I” in Romans 7 and how does this determine what Paul is saying?
- Paul
A. Pre-Conversion
This chapter is an autobiography type thing of Paul talking about his life before the conversion since he is the “Jew of Jews” but he is talking about himself
7:9 (answering the question of whether is law sin)
7:24 (Paul’s calling expression about his life back then)
B. Post-Conversion
Most historical
Sanctification of Paul
After 12 the case changes to the present tense
What are the theological implications of Romans 7 for Christians living today? How does your view contrast with other views?
Implications:
- Legalism & Antinomianism are wrong
- The Law is good, but sin uses it for evil
- Sanctification is a struggle and a matter of identity and place (think realm transfer)
Contrasting Views:
- Israel
Some think that this is talking about the Mosiac law and the law was given to them to live but caused them to fall into the rabbit hole of legalism
- Adam
Adam died before the law (thou shall not eat the fruit)
- Life of a Christian
A. Christians who struggled under the law
B. Their conversion story
C. The problem with this is that Paul always uses the pronoun “I” to indicate himself
What is “the flesh” in Romans 8, and what is the nature of its contrast with “Spirit” in this chapter? What importance does this have for our understanding of sanctification?
- The Flesh
A. In reference to sin (refers to the bondage under sin that Christians deal with, yet aren’t under anymore)
B. Think of the body of death in Romans 7
- The Spirit
A. Brings believers to new life
B. The things questioned in Romans 7 are answered in 8
C. Two different realms (Adam/Christ) is also relevant here
- Sanctification
A. We are, although in the realm of Christ, being sanctified and set aside for God, but at the same time, we are still in the sinful flesh that is under sin in this life
B. Therefore, we are unable to reach perfection and glorification in this life until we have a perfect body in the new heavens and new earth
C. And also reminds us and comforts us when we fail to keep the sanctification
D. Does He give us the Spirit so now we can fulfill the law? (Roman Catholic) No! “Might be fulfilled in us” is passive. Christ has done it all, we don’t add anything to His perfect work. We reveal, disclose, and manifest what is already true of us, that is, we are saved and in the realm of grace.
Summarize the argument and purpose of Rom 9:1-29 within the book of Romans, especially with regard to Paul’s use of the OT.
- Argument & Purpose:
A. The Jews have always thought that they and their fathers were elected because of their good works
B. Paul is arguing in these verses that God does not choose people according to what they do, but according to whom he wills and loves (“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”)
C. God’s electing love has continued into the present age, now being broadened towards the Gentiles
- Paul’s use of the OT
A. Ishmael & Isaac (Ishmael has legal firstborn, but not seed, Hagar as loved by God, but not God’s chosen like Sarah)
B. Jacob & Esau (election not based on actions)
How is Romans 9:1-29 relevant to one’s understanding of divine election and reprobation?
- God chooses whoever he wants to choose, not based on what they’ve done
- The one God picked will not fall out of His love, if they seem like they fall out, they were not elected in the first place
- Election is not God looking through the corridors of time and seeing who will respond favorably to Him, but He chooses and plan out all things
(WCF 3)
What are the different views of Paul’s teaching in Rom 11:25-27, and what are the best arguments/evidence for and against each view? Which view do you hold, and why?
Who is Paul referring to as Israel in this text?
- Believers, both Jew and Gentiles
A. Believers are “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16)
B. Augustine and Calvin held to this view
C. Ephraim is also a name associated with the Jews, and in some works (Isaiah?) the Gentiles are referred to as Ephraim too; therefore, the Gentiles are also a part of Israel
- All believing Jews
A. Colin Kruse
B. “All” here refers to the true Israelites (genetics and faith)
- All the Israelites at the end of the age
A. Held by Hodge
B. All Israel means all Israel (context supports this)
C. Mass conversion
What role does Rom 12:1-2 play in one’s understanding of the relationship between 1-11 and 12-16, as well as the ethical-theological relationship between Rom 12-13 and 14-16.
12:1-2 is focused on:
- Living Sacrifice
A. Both mind and action are involved in living the Christian life and increasing in holiness
- Do Not Be Conformed To This World
A. We should act like what we are: a living sacrifice
B. Sanctification (better understanding of God and an increasing desire to become more like Him)
C. Realm Transfer (we belong to Christ now, not the world)
Relationship Between 1-11 & 12-16
- 1-11
A. Theology
B. Gifts in the Church
- 12-16
A. How to deal with people both outside and inside the Church in a godly way
- Relationship
A. 12-16 is the application of 1-11
- Ethical-Theological Relationship if 12-16
- 12-13
A. Being under persecution and subjection
B. Living Sacrifice concept
C. Love as an action
- 14-16
A. Unity in Christ
B. The Weak & The Strong (how to deal with people)
- Romans 12:1-2
A. Rejoice in hope; we will have both hope and joy if we are living sacrifices to God
What original historical occasion(s) may have prompted Paul’s teaching in Rom 13:1-5, and how does this help frame and specify what Paul is (and is not) teaching here? What are the dangers of not understanding the contextual reasons and limits of Paul’s teaching here?
- Nero’s Tax
A. Governmental Authority
B. A lot of Jews didn’t want to pay the tax
C. The Romans didn’t like Nero either
- Paul’s Own Experience
A. Paul’s own experiences with the Roman officers and the government enforcer are all generally speaking good and nice to him (I think it is mainly because of his citizenship of Rome). Therefore, he views the government as an authority set by God for good order in society
- What is Paul teaching here?
A. Rome or all governments?
- Paul nowhere makes explicit that his command is circumstantial; further, it is tied to governors, persons in authority, rather than a current status quo
- This is the Word of God for His people; let’s examine the context, but accept it’s teaching
Regarding Paul’s instruction regarding the Weak and Strong in Rom 14:1-15:13, who are the Weak and Strong, what is the main issue between them? Further, what are the proper course of actions that each should take toward one another in Romans 14:1-15:13, and how should Christ’s work in light of the OT texts Paul cites guide them? What are some analogies made to our modern context?
The weak are the ones who are more easily convicted regarding dietary laws and the keeping of days of festival days.
The strong are the ones who exercise their freedom in Christ and have free consciences regarding food, drink, and religious days.
Main Issue:
The weak want everyone to be as they are, and likewise with the strong
Solution:
The weak ought not set obligations on the strong that Christ has not instituted, and the strong should not compel the weak to disregard their consciences
Central Point:
Maintain the unity of the Church
Consider the Moral Law
Romans 6
Death to sin and life to God
Baptism
Slaves to righteousness
Romans 7
Paul describes the oppressive life of sin under the Law
Romans 8
No condemnation because the law was completed “in us”
Heirs with Christ. Creation is broken, we get the future glory of it one day
God works all things for good for his predestined people. God’s everlasting love is unbreakable
Romans 9
Paul grieves over unbelieving Israel
God’s Word has not failed; Israel is a family of faith, not of blood
The potter and the clay (election; Jacob and Esau)
