The Righteousness of God

SUMMARY OF "THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD" There isn't a day that goes by in which we don't sin. How can we sin so much and still have grace with God? Paul believed that as sinners we were "justified" by faith in the Messiah, not by perfect keeping of the law. An attempt is made to faithfully follow Paul's logic, beginning with his thesis statement in Romans 1:16-17 and concluding in Romans 11:36. The central theme is clear: God has done for man what man could not do for himself. Attention is given to the volatile Jew/Gentile mix of the first century Roman church. Objections that Jewish members seem to have suggested against Paul's ideas are clearly noted, along with Paul's logical and Scriptural answers. Special attention is given to certain difficult passages such as (1) God's prerogative to choose (9:1-33), (2) the question of God's "rejection" of Israel (11:1-6), (3) Israel's "stumbling" and the consequent "riches" of the Gentiles (11:11-15), and (4) the "irrevocable" gifts and calling of God (11:25-32). The remainder of the book discusses Paul's recommendations to Christians in consequence of God's wonderful work in us.