Biblical Literacy Podcast

Mark continued in the book of Romans with an emphasis on verses 3:20-31 through 4:1. The theme of today’s lesson was based on the many Bible translations or interpretations today, especially focused on words in Romans 3:23-24.

Faith and Christ Works will not justify us in God’s covenant of faithfulness. The passage can read faith in, of,from,or through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Mark provides 5 criteria that translators use to argue the meaning of these verses.

Boasting

The best we have is not enough to qualify us for the kingdom of God. We can only boast of God’s

saving work for us. We are saved by faith. Boast only in the cross of Christ.

Faith and Abraham

God had our salvation planned before humans were formed in the Garden of Eden. His promise extended to Abraham a sinner, but one who trusted God and deemed righteous.

Points for home:

Be blessed, thankful, and grateful

Listen to Mark give us a deeper understanding of these Roman verses according to various Biblical translations. Jesus Christ lived in covenantal purity. We will reach the same place even with different emphasis or views along the journey. Sin is worse than we think, and it requires God to deal with it.

God is the Saver, and Jesus is the Savior.

5-25-25 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued in the study of Romans with a focus on the “gold" in Paul’s words. This week Mark first provided some background and context, expanding on things shared from previous lessons, and then focused on Romans 3:21-26.

Background and context:

The Roman church was not full of lightweights.

Paul produces a masterpiece with rhetorical features.

Paul’s letters are longer than typical at the time. Powerful and detailed to an audience who were sophisticated in biblical matters.

Romans 3:21-26

But now: the righteousness of God has been manifested.

We have all sinned and are justified by faith as a gift.

Propitiation means to appease God’s wrath. Numerous references to the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Sin must be punished. We have redemption in Jesus.

Points for Home

Can we talk about the awesomeness of God?

Who can refuse?

Blessed, thankful, grateful.

Listen to Mark review the first three chapters of Romans, explain the tenses of Greek words that Paul used to show how the past influences the present. Righteousness looks to the past, applies to the present and the future. The cross is where God’s justice and mercy are validated

5/18/25 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued in the book of Romans with insights into Romans Chapter 3:21-26 with an

exploration into the Greco Roman language vs English. He divided the lesson as follows:

1. Explore the word group

 Ancient Greek origin of “dike” which means, right, justice, punishment.

 Translated into English it uses various words from other language origins.

 Paul is using one word that means various English meanings: courtroom verdict, covenantal

faithfulness, conforming behavior, or setting right what is wrong.

2. Work thru the passage

 Greek concise argument of the power of the Gospel in saving sinful man.

 The righteousness of God saves us. Dramatic intervention but not an afterthought.

Plan from the beginning.

 God is: all the meanings of “dike."

3. Work thru the harmony with points for home

 Can we talk about the awesomeness of God?

 Can we talk about what He has done for us?

 Who can refuse?

Learn from Mark’s study how the Greek translation of Paul’s letter has much deeper meaning to the

reader. God cares about justice, mercy, and paid the price for us as illustrated in the Gospel-death,

burial & resurrection of Jesus

05-11-25 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued in the study of Romans with an exploration Romans 2:12 - 3:21.

Paul used his lawyer background consisting of a 3-pillar approach of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos to provide information to the Greco-Roman culture. His flow of logic included a power statement and logically or methodically based statements that were brief, complete, and concise to show God’s judgment.

Romans 2:12 - 3:21

All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory: without the law or under the law. No hope without God.

We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and belief in the Gospel or the Good News.

Points for home:

There but for the grace of God go!

The Gospel is the power of God for salvation for those who believe.

Listen to Mark show how Paul used the art and science of persuasion to show how we are saved from God’s judgment. Praise to the Lord Almighty.

5-4-25 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued a study of Romans with a focus on Chapter 2:1-11, highlighting God’s Principles of

Judgment. The lesson was divided to discuss:

1. Paul’s legal background as a Pharisee

-Jewish legal background. Had their own court system based on the Torah. The great Sanhedrin

was considered the Jewish Supreme Court.

-Roman background. Citizen of Rome granting Paul considerable rights in the Roman court and

recognized throughout the Roman Empire.

2. Romans 2:1-11 - Uses Legal Terms

-People have no excuse or defense for committing sin and wrong to judge others.

-God will dispense justice according to what they earned and render a verdict.

-God shows no partially. The righteousness of the Good News. The Gospel of death, burial, and resurrection.

3. Points for home

-I can’t judge anyone

-The Gospel is the power of God to save

Listen to Mark teach about Paul’s legal background, his knowledge of Roman and Jewish law, and those who influenced his life. Kindness, forbearance and patience rule the Christian life

4-27-25 Biblical-Literacy

Mark continued the study of Romans with a focus on The Wrath of God. The lesson was divided to include:

Ancient Greco-Roman thought at the time of Paul’s writing the letter to the Romans

 We naturally use our culture to understand the world around us.

 They taught that moral blindness and error caused by the gods.

 Paul can quote Greco-Roman philosophers who believed in many gods.

Contrast Paul’s text

 People suppress the truth and not the gods.

 The wrath of God is true, genuine, without excuse, and there is cause and effect.

 Root cause is rebellion against God.

Points for home

 God longs for our redemption.

 Awesome power of God.

Listen to Mark show how Paul was informed about and contrasted ancient culture with the truth of the Gospel: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Paul is not

ashamed of the Gospel. It brings the power of salvation and righteousness

04-13-25 Biblical Literacy 

Marks continued the study of the book of Romans by focusing on Chapter 1 vs 16 & 17 and Paul and his family life long movements and the influence that each of the places he lived and the influences each location had on his life, his person and influences on his character.

God died for our sins. The most simple thing about the Gospel is Christ Died for our sins. The most profound thing about the Gospel is Christ died for our sins.

Paul grew up in Tarsus, which was a major intellectual center and traveled the area as a child and as a God- fearing adult. Those travels shaped his persona and his deep belief and praise for the Christ that he came to know beyond well.

Mark focused On: 

The literary context of Romans 1:16-17

Dissecting Romans 1:16-17 

The Impact of Romans 1:16-17

Good writing habits were discussed relative to the introduction content, omit needless words, brevity, completeness, conciseness, while focusing on each word.

The lesson continues with the techniques that are needed to deliver an argument that is clear and lucid, briefly set forth in a methodical way, and have the following qualities, brevity, completeness and conciseness.

Mark discusses, in detail, the use of the key words in Romans 1:16 & 17, Gospel, Power and Righteousness.

Get Ready for Easter Weekend; 

“For the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being Saved it is the POWER OF GOD” 1-Cor 1:18

4-6-25 Biblical-Literacy

Mark taught the second lesson in Romans with an emphasis on the beginning verses of chapter one. Paul wrote Romans around 55AD. Mark breaks down the lessons:

Paul’s Salutation to the Romans

He is a servant of Jesus Christ.

Called to be an apostle to share the Gospel.

Grace and peace. 

Paul’s Prayer

Thank God for the Romans’ faith and prays for their strength. 

Paul’s Theme

Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the power of God for salvation.

Mark will devote next Sunday’s lesson to expanding on Paul's theme.

Points for home:

There is a lot to be praying about in this world

Amazing news of the Gospel

That is worth singing about

Listen to Mark review lesson 1 and share insights into today’s lesson. Paul's opening shows his humility, love for God and the Romans, and his commitment to spreading the Gospel.

3-30-25 - Biblical-Literacy

Mark Lanier began a new series on Romans. Today’s focus merged how to study an Epistle and began an introduction into the book of Romans.

1. How to study Romans, an Epistle, in 8 basic steps.

 Historical context

 Literary context

 Textual analysis

 Paragraph exegesis

 Theological analysis

 Application

 Mix-in others

 Constant ongoing reflection

2. The occasion of the letter - Mark explains historical context that result in the church in Rome consisting of both Jewish and Gentile Christians with an appeal for unity.

3. The opening of Romans - Learn how Romans differs from Paul’s other epistles in his introduction which includes the author, recipients and a greeting.

Points for home

 God works through history

 Gospel is amazing news

 You are loved, called, and forgiven

Mark taught lesson 2 on How to Study the Bible with a focus on the genre of Poetry.

The lesson’s three points:

1 A little Bible background: Old Testament written mostly in Hebrew. New Testament written mostly in Greek. Afterward and primarily due to the dominant language of the Roman Empire the scriptures were translated into Latin.

2. Reading different passages: Psalms are various styles of poetry or songs. Learn about the types of parallelism and how they help in understanding poetic scripture.

3. Points for home in reading the Psalms

Think about it

Pray about it

Enjoy the banquet

Listen to Mark expound the history of the Bible, and the origin of the reference Old Testament and New Testament and our privilege to access the Bible. Enjoy the Psalms, the power of a repetition and the beauty of language.