| DOWN-TO-EARTH PROBLEMS |
| When Christians disagree about what's right and wrong. |
| Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. 12:9 |
| Too often theology is viewed as stuff for hermits and marooned shipwreck victims. When there's nothing else to do, then is the time to ask abstract questions about God. Such a notion would surely have exasperated the apostle Paul. To him, theology was worthless unless it made a difference in how people lived. Therefore, he concluded the most concise theological book in the Bible with a down-to-earth discussion of contemporary problems. Revolutionaries and Weaker Brothers The issue of politics surfaces in Romans (13:1-7). How should a Christian relate to government? In Paul's day, when Christians were living under Nero's tryannical regime, that question was hotly debated, as it still is in our revolution-oriented era. Christians in Rome were also disagreeing on what was proper behavior for a Christian (14:1-15:4). One person was sure another was sinning, but that "offender" was convinced his accuser was hopelessly narrow-minded. Who was right? The specific issues change with each culture, but Paul's guidelines on the proper attitudes apply to all. Paul did not live as an intellectual recluse. He applied his theology to life, practicing what he preached. In fact, the lofty book of Romans was written while he was out raising money for famine victims in Jerusalem (15:25-27). Life Questions: Christians in Paul's day hotly debated such issues as eating meat, celebrating holidays, and drinking wine. What issues do Christians debate today? What attitude should we have toward Christians we differ with? |