Romans chapters 6-8

Hi Class!

This week we'll continue plowing through Romans; I'd like to spend another week in section III, touching down in chapters 7 and 8.

Thanks for the wonderful and very personal sharing about your faith journeys last week; especially the baptism stories. I think you are living in the meaning of the ritual; your various perspectives are a blessing to us all. I'm amazed by how much more I can always learn.

This week I especially appreciated Paul's metaphor associating baptism with Christ's death and resurrection -- the promise to all of us that the old sinful self can be seen as dead and buried, and our new self, responsive to the Holy Spirit, alive and well . . . and this, in spite of our continuing wrestling with our sinful nature, the way we can think of ourselves. Oops I'm "Pauling" again.

I also enjoy connecting the dots of ideas -- when we wondered why some churches have abandoned full immersion, I thought of an article I read recently about how dangerous contact with water was during the middle ages and early part of the industrial revolution in Europe. Folks had to be absolutely desperate to chance washing with water . . . which makes sense now, as horrible diseases were water-borne in that time of non-existent sanitation as we know it. No wonder the church may have used as little water as possible for baptism, especially in the blessing and baptism of infants. To me this also implies that we may in time see a return to full immersion as the preferred liturgical practice in main line churches, since dirty water is no longer a significant obstacle. I'd be glad for this to happen. Personally I'm blessed by being dunked, and needed this more than dripping. But it's all good.

FYI United Methodists accept any baptism which was administered in the name of Jesus Christ, regardless of how much or how little water was used. And we're flexible in how we administer it, as well. I have applied sprinkling, pouring, and full immersion as a pastor. Best one ever was on a freezing day in a hot tub. Also a story of the most amazing transformation of a life, ever.

I'm also remembering how an American Baptist pastor friend of mine once said, "There's nothing wrong with a United Methodist that 40 inches of water won't cure." : )

See you Sunday!

Pastor Dan and Laura

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By the way we're still looking forward to having co-teacher Laura back with us. Still battling post-surgery infections and such, but she's a fighter & with your prayers and new meds we're hopeful she'll be back up and operational soon.

Romans 1:18-5:21

Hi Class!

I've enjoyed our sharing and conversations immensely the last few weeks. Thanks for being so faithful to come and so energetic in your participation. I find it a joyful thing to be in a group of diverse minds whose hearts are warmed and unified by Christ's love.

Here's a nutshell review of the last two weeks:

October 10

We focused on section I in our Romans outline, "The Sinfulness of All People", 1:18-3:20. Paul makes the case that the fundamental sin all people are liable to commit is idolatry, which leads human beings to distorted lives. Idolatry is more than worship of a statue of something -- it is the worshipping of something created, instead of the creator. Paul speaks at some length of sexuality as an example -- in it's appropriate place a wonderful gift from God, but set above everything becomes a force of destruction in human life. His point is that no one is immune to breaking even the first and most obvious commandment; his conclusion is that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Further, there is no distinction -- Jews who supposedly know better because they have the specific laws of God are no different in this respect from Gentiles (everyone else!) who supposedly know nothing. Indeed, no one has any excuse if we would simply observe the beauty of creation, which testifies to God's nature and glory and beckons us to worship correctly.

October 17

Section II presents Paul's thinking about God's solution for human sin: salvation in Jesus Christ. Since no one can achieve righteousness (justification) because of our sinfulness, God provided, at the perfect time, the free gift of salvation in Christ. The law, which is a handbook for righteous behavior, is not nullified; but now, in Christ, righteousness is imputed through faith. Rather than living a life of guilt in which we are always failing to live up to God's standards, we are free to grow, with hope and joy, through trial and suffering, toward godliness, while we are accepted unconditionally. I think I'm starting to ramble on like Paul.

This week, October 24, we move to section III, "Salvation Brings Freedom and a New Way of Life", Romans 6-8.

Have a wonderful week. Laura and I appreciate you very much and look forward to our upcoming class.

God bless!

Pastor Dan

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P.S. Please keep Nicole Beebe's family in your prayers, as her grandfather passed away this weekend after a long illness. Laura too will appreciate your prayers for continuing recovery from her surgery.