A Summer in Rome

We will spend the next 13 weeks of Summer looking at the book of Romans, studying the major themes that Paul addresses in his letter to the church in Rome.

As we look at this book, we have to be honest about what we’re getting into. This book can be heavy, meaning we can be getting into some difficult topics. Romans is known as one of the meatiest and most dense books of scripture.

Many scholars feel that Romans is the most important book of scripture, even more important than John or Revelation. This is because the entirety of the Gospel is outlined. Romans delves into some deep theology. Martin Luther said that this book has the doctrine on which the church rises and falls.

Romans can be complicated. There are things in this book that we may have to read and re-read a few times because we may not always get it the first time. The Apostle Peter said of Paul and his writings in 2 Peter 3:16: “he writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

Furthermore, the book of Romans is a book of truth. While all of the Bible is true, Romans tells it like it is. Paul does not apologize for it. Some things may offend us or leave us a little uncomfortable or irritated.

However, we should never shrink back from diving into the word just because it can make us uncomfortable. We should not shrink back or water it down.

Why study a book that can be so difficult? It’s because we believe that this is what God gave us to understand Him and His grace. We believe that it can lead us to greater places spiritually. In an age where truth is subjective, it’s important to do the deep spiritual work that allows us to become more firm and grow deeper in our faith.