I find the context within all the epistles, especially Romans, to be so crucial. And when such pivotal verses get pulled out of context and focused upon intently, it's often to their detriment...they turn into idioms or niceties, and their weighty theology gets lost in the mix.
And such excellent points about issues of politics, etc. This is why "Screwtape Letters" remains one of my favorite books - it so pointedtly shows the nuances of sin. Often, it's easy for me to think "I've done my part," and check it off a list in some sense...which only distracts me from the daily cross-bearing faith.
Thank you for this beautiful, thoughtful series of reflections!
Thanks for your thoughts on this! It was really important to me to emphasize the integrity of Romans this week, and the danger of pulling out individual verses like they are proverbs. As a theologian, Romans is my favorite book of the Bible, and I find it a stunning work when one considers the integrity of its message across all 16 chapters.
And yes, I love CS Lewis! I haven't spent as much time with "The Screwtape Letters" as I probably should (I'm a "Great Divorce" guy through and through) but I think I'll take your note here a prompt to pick it up again for Lent this year.
I find the context within all the epistles, especially Romans, to be so crucial. And when such pivotal verses get pulled out of context and focused upon intently, it's often to their detriment...they turn into idioms or niceties, and their weighty theology gets lost in the mix.
And such excellent points about issues of politics, etc. This is why "Screwtape Letters" remains one of my favorite books - it so pointedtly shows the nuances of sin. Often, it's easy for me to think "I've done my part," and check it off a list in some sense...which only distracts me from the daily cross-bearing faith.
Thank you for this beautiful, thoughtful series of reflections!
Thanks for your thoughts on this! It was really important to me to emphasize the integrity of Romans this week, and the danger of pulling out individual verses like they are proverbs. As a theologian, Romans is my favorite book of the Bible, and I find it a stunning work when one considers the integrity of its message across all 16 chapters.
And yes, I love CS Lewis! I haven't spent as much time with "The Screwtape Letters" as I probably should (I'm a "Great Divorce" guy through and through) but I think I'll take your note here a prompt to pick it up again for Lent this year.