Commentary on the New Testament Book of Romans

I have never before published a post on this, my personal literary site,  whose content was not primarily my own. But I’m going to make an exception. I’m doing so because it involves something terribly dear to me: the character of my Heavenly Father. I invite you to both read the Introduction as well as listen to the audio episodes that follow.

Introduction

Of all the epistles of the New Testament, Paul’s letter to the Romans serves as perhaps the most frequently referenced when it comes to many of the foundational doctrines of Christian reformed theology. Indeed, it seems to me that many have elevated Romans to a position of supremacy over the very Gospels themselves, so powerful is the influence of orthodox thinking as to what Paul meant by what he wrote.

Such an inversion is catastrophic. For it is through the lens of the gospel records that we understand all other scripture, both Old Testament and New. For, according to John’s gospel, “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” (1:18)

Therefore, should our interpretation of an epistle be at odds with what we understand from Jesus about his Father, we must set ourselves to gain a right understanding until the two—the gospels and the epistle—are in the harmony intended by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

It is to this end, the harmony of Romans with the Father of Jesus Christ as conveyed by the words and actions of our Lord himself, that I am publishing a series of episodes on Romans over the next few weeks on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The content of these episodes is not my own but words written by my friend and author, Michael Phillips. (We share, in large measure, similar views on the topics involved.) Perhaps you have encountered Michael in his service as the editor of a great number of writings and books penned by George MacDonald, the man C.S. Lewis considered a significant factor in his conversion from an atheist to a follower of Jesus Christ.

I have personally benefitted, not only from Michael Phillips’ efforts to make MacDonald’s works understandable to today’s readers, but also from Michael’s own writings. I believe history will prove him to be a profound thinker in his own right and a champion of bold thinking Christianity. I believe you will find Michael’s comments on Romans thought provoking. I hope so. Sound thinking is hard work but worth every bit of the effort.

My desire in presenting these episodes on Romans is not only to challenge us to think boldly so that we might gain insight into the wonderful harmony between Paul’s writing and the gospels, but that we might fall more deeply in love with God our Father by grasping more certainly his character and ultimate purpose for humankind.

~Michael

(Episode 1) The Atonement: Court of Law or Family Reconciliation