The Ethics of Fear

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Psalm 34:11  NASB Fear – There are basically two kinds of ethical systems in the world.  They both have long histories.  The first is the one we are most familiar with in the modern world, although it is not the most ancient…

The Letter of the Law

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves,  Romans 2:14  NASB A law to themselves – We’ve spent a lot of time looking at Paul’s idea of nómos, or perhaps more accurately, his ideas about all the variations encompassed…

The Cure

But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me [m]coveting of every kind; for apart [n]from the Law sin is dead.  Romans 7:8  NASB Is dead – Want the absolutely guaranteed way to stop sinning?  Die!  Problem solved.  Oh, wait.  That’s not very convenient.  Paul offers another “solution.”  Live apart from the Law.  Apart from the Law, sin is dead. …

Can’t You Just Speak Clearly?

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in regard to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  Romans 7:4 NASB Raised from the dead – Just when we thought we’d finally…

Underworld

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under [a]the Law but under grace? [b]Far from it!  Romans 6:15 NASB Not under the Law – When we took a long look at Romans 6:14 (March 12 and 13), we discovered that the English translation reveals serious theological bias.  There’s that capital “L,” the treatment of nómos…

Luther’s Law (1)

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under [a]the Law but under grace.  Romans 6:14  NASB But – There’s probably no more important verse for the Church than this line from Paul’s letter to the Romans.  In fact, as it is read in most English Bibles, it’s the ultimate justification for separating Christianity from Judaism. …

Capital Crimes

for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.  Romans 4:15  NASB Law – Paul is often credited with separating Law and grace.  At least that’s the view of the Reformation Church.  According to Church doctrine, Paul explained that once Jesus died for our sins, the penalty was paid…

Law with a Capital L

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.  Romans 7:12 NASB Law – It is common Christian belief that the “Law of Moses” has been set aside with the death of Jesus.  Under the Augustinian-Lutheran interpretation, the “Law” was a restrictive, despotic decree for Israel because Israel needed…