Blame It On God

I am a frequent lurker over at Rainn Wilson‘s brainchild Soul Pancake.  I find the discussions thought provoking.  And I like that all religions are allowed to present their views and that, with a few exceptions, all of those views, even the views of the atheists, are respected and the discussions remain fairly civil…at least as far as internet discussions go.

Not a website for the squeemish regarding theological matters, Monday’s big issue is deffinitely a big one.  In a most provocative tweet, Mr. Wilson linked to the discussion, which was a simple one: list 3 things you’re really pissed off with God about.  Like I said: it’s not for the squeemish, and unless you have a strong stomach for controversy (the title of the post alone, which I didn’t quote here, will get your blood boiling), I highly recommend you not click that link.

Romans 3:1-8: God’s Faithfulness

Last time, we ended on a particularily negative note.  To quote my final statement to show you just how negative,

If the Christian refuses to live the way of Jesus, it is as though she were never a Christian to begin with.

Rough words, especially in a Christian culture where salvation is based solely on accepting as fact matters that are supposed to be believed through faith. Paul doesn’t stay in the negative, though. He moves on to something much more positive: The subject of God’s faithfulness.

Romans 2:17-29: The Jews and the Law

In this section, Paul continues his rhetoric against the Jewish Christians in the Roman congregation. We have heard it all before.  Paul accuses the Jews of teaching others to obey the Law, even of boasting that they are better than the Gentiles because they have the Law, while simultaneously disobeying the very rules they try to impose on others. His examples:

You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (Romans 2:21-22 ESV)