Monday, February 07, 2011

Original Meaning Translation: Romans 1:16-17

More of my "original meaning" translation of Romans:
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Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God [leading] to salvation for everyone who has faith, both to the Jew first and to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith [leading] to faith, as it stands written, "But the righteous by faith will live."

1 comment:

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Ken,
Yes, this is the traditional evangelical understanding of being "saved". Faith is the foundation in this "gospel" or way of understanding. But, what is one does not believe? Does that mean they are to be "stoned", shunned as a reprobate, or what? what is "the gospel" if one doesn't believe in supernaturalism, God, God's control within history, or the "whole ball of wax"?

Is Constitutional government good news to those under political oppression? Isn't civilzation a "good" for those that are suffering under tribalism and savage beliefs? Doesn't the State Department take care of this in foreign service, humanitarian aid, national security, and diplomatic efforts?

The Catholic church has sought to overtake the world, just as Islam has. Do I believe that the political should be defined by the religious? Not if I agree with liberal democratic ideals! But, neither do I believe in a "Caesar" that want to unify everyone under one umbrella, expanding their absolute power.

Is the question whether one should approach government through democracy, or thorough religion? I don't think a theocratic government is appropriate to modern understanding, thinking or being in the world. It leads people to do strange things thinking they are serving "God interests" or Purposes....and one of these is believing in "God's control" over and in history. That would mean that Church history would be "world history", and it is not. And I don't think it should be.