The natural world, according to Scripture, was …show more content…
Displayed in chapter 1 is a dichotomy between sinful and godly relationships. Paul speaks of his longing to be with the Romans and his desire to “impart to [them] some spiritual gift to strengthen [them] – that [they] may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (1:11-12) We see a few verses later that those whom are not of God who practice sinful lifestyles such as envy, deceit, gossip, and ruthlessness, “not only do unrighteous things, but give approval to those who practice them.” Throughout Scripture we see a plethora of broken relationships, from Cain and Abel, to Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, to Samuel and David, to name a few. Fortunately, the gospel brings restoration into relational corruption. We are encouraged in Romans 5:10 that we were “reconciled to God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies.” We are also reminded that God’s affection is on all peoples and all nations (1:5, 14), so we must conclude that we are to see all peoples as our equals and to seek to live peacefully with …show more content…
We live in a society that is informed by many influences such as science, philosophy, the arts, and religion that offer truth claims about life. All of these issues relate to how we are to live with one another. The gospel worldview would support this diversity since our Creator is a diverse creator (Gen 1, Ps. 19:1), and we as humans are “made in his image and likeness.” (Gen 1:27) The gospel, however, has placed boundaries on cultural diversity, as God’s created order was made according to his will and good pleasure. (John 1:3) So while culture may support issues such as homosexual marriage, the pursuit of riches, or making things other than God our objects of worship, the Bible would speak truth into these situations and reflect the heart of God and his disapproval of sinful lifestyles. (Romans 1:18-32) The gospel of Jesus Christ is ultimately the hope and redemption for the world we live in (Romans 4:25), and Romans sums up what would be a great cultural mantra, “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”