Jesus Creed

Preaching Romans

Wednesday September 19, 2007

Categories: Romans

Ever since I was in college and took a line-by-line course on Romans with Dr. John Wilson -- from whom I learned how to diagram sentences and who has shaped my life ever since -- I have loved Romans. Whenever we go to church and are sitting the pews (or seats) prior to the service, I read Romans in my Testament and usually get through Romans about twice a year, though this year is slower because I'm speaking more often. What about preaching Romans?

I've got a new book of the sermons by Fleming Rutledge, an Anglican priest considered by many to be one of the foremost preachers in the USA. Her sermons are called Not Ashamed of the Gospel. They are elegant, practical, and theological.

Her first sermon is on Romans 1:16.

Why, she asks, did Paul get going by saying he was not ashamed of the gospel?

1. Because there was no snob appeal; no status whatsoever; Paul joined his fellow Christians.
2. Because it was dangerous. The earliest creed was "Jesus is Lord" was "subversive."
3. Because its message was about a crucified person and crucifixion was shameful.

Paul connects "shame" and "foolishness" and "gospel" --> Romans 1:14-15: " I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish: so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel...".

She then probes: the American issue is wealth and it hard for the wealthy to admit their need of salvation. "A little help, maybe, just enough to to touch us up a little..." (some great prose here). She pokes at those who are embarrassed by those who claim to be born again. "And if we think this, brothers and sisters, then we are ashamed of the gospel" (19).

The problem is human nature, being in Adam. We are trapped in Adam. Why do we believe those who think they can end their problems? "because we have an unrealistically optimistic view of human nature" (21). The human story of Romans is the tragic one.

What we need is a "new humanity" (21). "It isn't important to think of Adam as a literal person; the important thing is to understand Genesis 2-3 and Romans 5:12-21 as true descriptions of the human condition" (21).

"The first thing that a recovering human being does on the way to becoming a new human being is to stop worrying about being ashamed" (21).

On his way to Rome Paul writes this letter; he is not ashamed; he's about to enter into the city of Rome and declare that Caesar is not Lord.

Advertisement
Comments
Nathanael
September 19, 2007 7:27 AM
http://www.borrowedbreath.com/

...also profound--since I am sometimes ashamed of my fellow brothers and sisters who are part of this restoration

Clay Knick
September 19, 2007 7:31 AM

Rutledge is great. I'm working throught the book
now. She's working on a book about atonement. I've
read all of her books of sermons.

ChrisB
September 19, 2007 9:24 AM
http://homewardbound-cb.blogspot.com/

“It isn’t important to think of Adam as a literal person; the important thing is to understand Genesis 2-3 and Romans 5:12-21 as true descriptions of the human condition” (21).

While I think Adam was a literal person, I've never quite bought the argument that Adam has to be literally true for Paul's argument to make sense. I'm glad she wrote that. I'll have to check out the book.

John W Frye
September 19, 2007 10:34 AM
http://www.jesustheradicalpastor.blogspot.com

Thanks, Scot, for bringing Fleming Rutledge to the attention of many of us who've never heard of her. I appreciate this post about her first sermon in the book.

Ted M. Gossard
September 19, 2007 8:13 PM
http://communityofjesus.blogspot.com/

Yes, me too (along with John "6). Good stuff.

Read All Comments

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.



Please type the text you see in the box below to verify your post and help us prevent spam. You have a limited time to type - you may wish to compose your comment in a separate document and paste it here upon completion.

Type the characters you see in the picture above.

Advertisement

Search This Blog

About Jesus Creed

Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...

View Scot's Speaking Schedule

Contact Scot at Facebook

feed icon Subscribe

RSS Feed

Receive updates from Jesus Creed

Calendar



Add to Technorati Favorites

Blogroll

Daily Prayers:

Emerging Movement:

Other sites I frequent:

Recommended Online Readings:

Scholarly Books I've written:

Scholarship Online:

Stuff online:

Advertisement

Advertisement


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.