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This parallel is flushed out more clearly in 2:12 where they are described as those who sin without the Law and those who sin under the Law. Then these two modes of being sinners are also contrasted with apparently two ways of obedience inferred in 14-16. These are people who are not under the law, or what we would term overtly religious people, but pay attention to a conscience tuned to the voice of God in their own soul. These kind of people, their very existence and definition, create a great dilemma for most Christian as they do not fit neatly into a box of our defining. We generally agree that they must exist but we do not know very well how to understand them or relate to them. Maybe these are people who have a better intuitive relationship to the cause and effects listed in these two chapters than most overt religious professing “believers”.
I believe that it would be well for me to further explore and condense into more clarity the many causes and effects laid out in these passages. Since it seems to be quite important for living in right relationship to God, I would like to know what are the real causes to avoid that trap me into the rut of hypocrisy that I see described in chapter 2. I know that much of the description throughout this chapter is uncomfortably close to describing my experience for much of my life. I want to learn what God has to say to me and receive the counsel that I need to get out of this mode of thinking and into a more vital and vibrant connection with Him.
You have really hit some issues uncomfortably right on the head! I really like your summation of the different 'sorts' of people described here. There is definitely a lot to unpack.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the current expression of North American Evangelicalism has overly focussed on the extraneous aspects of Romans 1 sinners, with less on the 'religious' sinners of Romans 2, and because of our uncomfortably, almost no emphasis or understanding has been articulated in regard to the latter group of people.
All being a part of the whole counsel of Scripture, we need to "sit up and take note". Thank you for highlighting these issues. I look forward to your future ruminations on the subject.
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Colin. It really does make a difference. Sometimes I feel like I might be a great bore sharing all this stuff that I am looking at with the black hole of blog. But then I keep reminding myself that I am not necessarily doing it for others but to simply record it so I don't forget it.
ReplyDeleteBut then if that is completely true there is no point in putting it on the web at all. One reason we put stuff out here instead of just in our own computer is so others can benefit from it if they choose. But getting feedback from those "others" certainly can make a difference in the mood back home and can stimulate more study knowing that someone else is listening too.
I am literally writing these observations down each day as they come to me in real time so they are not censured or even tidied into neat categories and conclusions. It may be a little more messy than typical teaching methods but I find it more stimulating and interactive, at least in my own relationship with God. Having others involved adds another dimension that adds a little more fuel to the enthusiasm fire.
The first day I saw what I was getting into in chapter 2 I was so uncomfortable that I didn't know how long it would take me to have the courage to even write it down. But I think it is very important and I want to be honest in facing whatever I find here and allow it to convict my own heart first before applying it more broadly.