Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd - Reading Romans together (Fall 2009)

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Reading Romans together (Fall 2009)

Romans 16: 24-27

October 30
Romans 16: 24-27

Here, Paul sums up his letter in a final doxology. Although he also seems to take a parting shot at the Jewish non-Christians (“according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed” Jewish folks didn’t think it was much of a secret) he reminds the Roman Christians that the Christian life is a life of praise to God. Amen.

Romans 16: 17-23

October 29
Romans 16: 17-23

Paul is winding things down, but in the middle of his final salutation Paul slips in some warnings of smooth talking preachers who peddle a false gospel (Joel Osteen?).

In verse 23 he mentions Erastus, the city treasurer, which suggest that his message was penetration people of higher income and social status. Paul is making a point of remembering as many people as he can. Like the acknowledgments section in a book, or a politician calling people by name to make them feel special, Paul is reminding them that his letter is not some abstract theological treatise. But a letter of pastoral concern for real people. This letter was written for flesh and blood human beings for a specific reason.

Romans 16: 1-16

October 28
Romans 16: 1-16

Junia is a female apostle. To those who believe that God chose only men to serve as apostles needs to re-read this section. In fact, look at the whole section. Both men and women are identified as church leaders.

While our ELCIC ordains women (half of our bishops are women. Including our National Bishops) we still fight with other Christians over the role of women in the church. It seems that the Church is the last place where women find full equality. In fact, I know some male clergy who object to have too many women in leadership positions in the ELCIC.

Some complain about the “feminization of the church” meaning that church is friendlier to women than it is to men. While there may be some truth in this, the reverse has been institutionally true since the second century. Women were pushed aside, stripped of their leadership roles, and ushered into the kitchen to take care of the men. The fact that it took almost 2000 years for some women to start receiving their rights as full citizens of heaven is astonishing. It tells us more about the male need for dominance than about biblical faithfulness.

Today’s reading reminds us that Paul was creating communities of radical equality.

Romans 15: 14-23 & Romans 15: 22-33

October 26 and October 27
Romans 15: 14-23 & Romans 15: 22-33

Here Paul lays out his mission as a church planter. He wants to take the gospel to places where they’ve not heard it. He doesn’t want to duplicate effort. He wants to go as far away as possible to reach as many people as possible.

Through the centuries, many others have followed suit. They’ve travelled all over the world to bring people the gospel. Often risking their lives in the process.

I often wonder, though, if we’ve forgotten the missionary impulse of our faith. I worry that we think about our cozy lives more than journeying out with God’s salvation message.

I know many clergy colleagues who worry more about climbing the career ladder than following faithfully where Jesus calls. I often find myself in that trap, the trap of worrying more about career ambitions than being faithful.

Paul offers us a model of what it means to faithfully follow Jesus’ lead. I don’t know what this looks like in today’s world, especially when we don’t have to travel any further than our basements to communicate all over the world.

But our missionary mandate is the same as Paul’s: to carry God’s message of life and salvation to the corners of the world and the edges of our lives.

Romans 15: 7-13

October 24, 2009
Romans 15: 9-13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul finishes this section with a blessing. I think this is because he’s trying to affirm the church’s unity and encourage the Roman Christians on their path to greater faithfulness as followers of Jesus.

And, like all blessings, it is God who provides the blessing. The hard work of unity is not their own to accomplish, but God’s through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I think that’s important for us to remember. That Christian unity is not a struggle to be won. But a gift to be received. A blessing for all who believe.

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