Wendy Gray
Biblical Worldview Assignment
BIBL-104-D81
Module/Week 7

Introduction/Thesis
The Book of Romans was not like the other letters (books) that Paul had written. The letter was addressed to everyone in Rome, the believers and the non-believers. As stated in Romans 1:7, “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God.” The topic of the letter was not in reference to a specific issue or crisis. Paul wrote this letter to introduce himself to the Romans and to help establish a basis of a biblical worldview. The writings within the letter, explains how with faith Christians can be justified, sanctified and glorified by God’s grace. The letter addresses the Christian view of the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and our culture.
The Natural World
Reading the book of Romans, helps to give an explanation of how Paul depicted the natural world when forming a Christian/biblical worldview. Think about it from the perspective of a person must know essentially where they came from before starting the framework of forming of a worldview. The bible teaches Christians that God is the creator and he created everything. In Romans, Paul describes that the natural world was created by God as it can be clearly seen (Romans 1:19-20). Paul also states that the creator should be worshiped not the created such as men, birds and animals. (Romans 1:22-23). Romans 1:25, elaborates by stating God who created everything should be honored always. However man turned away from God, worshiped false idols, embraced sin and therefore deserved death. Human sin forced God to punish not only man but the natural world too. Romans 8:20, states “The world that God created suffered defeat.” Paul describes that God will rescue the world and God has a plan for its future along with future of Christians.
Human Identity
God created everything. Man was a special creation that God made in his image. God gave man the task of ruling over the earth. Without God man has no purpose. Paul tells us in Romans, that man decided that they were wise enough to ignore God. (Romans 1:22) Paul tells us that we are descendants of Adam and we are born sinful. Human nature may be to judge others, but we must remember we are all sinners and God does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:1-10) The Book of Romans, tells us that we are not righteous or better than anyone else. (Romans 3:10-11) Human nature is too weak to oppose the power of sin. Human nature makes us wants something just because God forbids it. (Romans 7:5-6) For man to have purpose we must be blessed with God’s grace. To receive His grace we find redemption through Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:1-4) Understanding human identity as told in the Book of Romans, helps to understand how truly special God made us.
Human Relationships
In man’s refusal to acknowledge God, they are given over to their own hearts and desires. (Romans 1:24) Their desires send them down the path away from the healthy sexual relationships in which God intended. They begin to lust after each other in unnatural ways. The desires destroy the relationships with fellow man through jealousies, fighting, cheating hatred and even murder of other people. (Romans 1:29) Adam’s sin ensured that all man would be born sinful. (Romans 5:12-14) Romans 3:9, tells us that all are under the power of sin. Paul teaches that salvation of sin can only be achieved through faith. Paul uses the example of Abraham, who passed on God’s blessing to his descendants through the “righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13) Through faith we can repair our relationship with God and in turn help to form and nurture relationships with fellow man. From birth human relationships can be complicated and hard. Forming a lasting bond with another person is like forming a bond with God it takes work. A great relationship with God, helps us to form better relationships with others. It helps to realize that we do not need to judge others because we are all equal.
Culture
Paul describes Rome as a place where everything is coming unraveled. The sins were not just performed by the Gentiles but the Jews too. (Romans 2:14-15) They were acting out by lying, cheating, being envious and arrogant. Gentiles worshiped idols and felt God was unworthy of worship. (Romans 1:26-32) Sexual desires were taking over the relationship in the manner God had intended. (Romans 1:26-27) Romans 1:32, tells us they sinned and encouraged others to sin as well. Paul states that they should live by the Spirit rather by the flesh. (Romans 8:4) The human laws of the Romans and the divine laws of the Jews had all been broken. The laws are good and holy because they showed what is sinful. For man to be justified by God’s grace redemption comes from Jesus Christ. Roman culture had rejected God in much the same way that society today has. Roman behavior could be seen as just as bad, worse or better than the societies of today behave. Grasping that the cultures of the past were just as troubled as the world today and God rescued them. Gives us hope we can be rescued too.
Conclusion
When reading the Book of Romans, one must step back and look at how Paul describes, the natural world, human identity, human relationships and culture of the Romans. Those things can be seen today in the much the same manner as they were seen then. Using those examples and what Paul describes in his letter to the Romans, it makes it easier to put together a Christian/biblical worldview. These topics complied together help to form my worldview. I believe that God created everything. Man was special creation, created in God’s image and our purpose is to worship God. Through our relationship with God we are able to form a relationship with fellow man. Our culture is governed by laws but in the grand scheme of things we must receive redemption through Jesus Christ so that we are blessed by God’s grace to live an eternal life with him in heaven.