"When I look at myself, I don't see how I can be saved. But when I look at Jesus, I don't see how I can be lost." Martin Luther "It’s by Jesus’ meritorious life and his substitutionary death that we can stand in the presence of a holy God." R. C. Sproul
Romans 1:17a
It's impossible to overemphasize the significance of Rom 1:16-17. Porter is absolutely right when he claims that Rom 1:16-17 is the "theme for the entire letter" (Porter, Letter to the Romans, 57). I read and re-read Rom 1:17a this morning to realize that this is one of the most complete and satisfying descriptions (or even … Continue reading Romans 1:17a
#60 (The Heidelberg Catechism)
My heart was deeply encouraged when we read QA 60 of the Heidelberg Catechism during Sunday worship service last week. It moved me because it powerfully describes how righteous I am before God: I am as righteous as Jesus Christ. Q. How are you righteous before God? A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. … Continue reading #60 (The Heidelberg Catechism)
Boccaccini, Paul’s Three Paths (2020)
Gabriele Boccaccini is a University of Michigan professor teaching Second Temple Judaism and early rabbinic literature. He's also a renowned Enoch specialist. I've been reading his 2020 book Paul's Three Paths to Salvation (Eerdmans). I am planning to write a (very) critical book review soon and have it published somewhere. Today's post only concerns a … Continue reading Boccaccini, Paul’s Three Paths (2020)
Mysterious Centrality of Faith
Romans 3:22 (Codex Sinaiticus) Romans 3:22 is a condensate of the Apostle Paul's gospel; he compresses Christianity into this eleven-word construction: δικαιοσύνη δὲ θεοῦ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς πάντας τοὺς πιστεύοντας "God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe" Romans 3:22 shows that faith is central in Christianity. Faith is also … Continue reading Mysterious Centrality of Faith