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Doctrine matters! Well, of course it does! What you believe and why you believe it effects and influences every aspect of your life. To pretend otherwise is to, well, pretend otherwise. The passage of Romans we just studied (i.e. Romans 1-5) and the passage we're about to begin (i.e. ch. 6-8) teach and solidify several truths.

Among these truths are the "ordo slutis" (the order of salvation), original sin (as a concept), original grace (as a reality), confession, faith, and baptism as parts of the plan of salvation. Paul also addresses the reality of sin, the responsibility of being saved, the ongoing struggle with sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit. But before moving on to these it is important to acknowledge the significant differences between two opposing views.

Augustinian-Calvinism

The differences between Augustinian-Calvinism (aka Reformed theology) and non-Calvinist theology (i.e. historical/traditional theology) is proof that doctrine matters. Several of the key components of T.U.L.I.P. - the self-applied acronym of Reformed theology's principle doctrines - are found in Romans. At least that is what Calvinists would have us believe. Problem is, the concepts are in fact there, just not in the way they think they are. The Bible actually teaches the contrary of T.U.L.I.P. (Acquired Partial Depravity, Conditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Resistible Grace, & Assurance By Faith).

Another problem with Augustinian-Calvinism is found in its philosophical roots. That is, where the concepts of theistic determinism (i.e. T.U.L.I.P.) actually come from. For example, Stoicism, Gnoticism, Neoplatonism, & Manichaeism - all identified by the church as heresies prior to Augustine - each teach one or more of Reformed theology's foundational concepts. When confronted with various questions from the Pelagians, Augustine reverted to his prior teaching and understanding that was rooted in these false teachings.

Additionally, Augustinian-Calvinism's presuppositional definitions can be found in these philosophies as well. The fact is that the theology of Augustinian-Calvinism requires eisegetical interpretation of Scripture (as opposed of exegetical). Meaning, the foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism is built on sand ( cf. Matthew 24-27). Ultimately, sound systematic theology is only as good as its foundation. Think Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Doctrine Matters

Unless you're completely new to this podcast, then you're fully aware that I am not a Calvinist. My goal in going through Romans is first to establish sound doctrine and second to refute (or at least point out) false doctrine. In this episode I briefly discuss the prominent differences between Augustinian-Calvinism and the biblical view. For more detailed discussion I refer you to the resources listed below.

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Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS AUGUSTINIAN-CALVINISM

The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism - Wilson (book)

Augustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'non-Free Free Will': A Comprehensive Methodology (Studien Und Texte Zu Antike Und Christentum / Studies and Texts in Antiquity and Christianity) Wilson (book)

Soteriology 101 - Dr. Leighton Flowers' website

Soteriology 101 - YouTube Channel

Was Augustine The First To Introduce "Calvinism" Into The Church? (Flowers & Wilson)

Did The Early Church Fathers Teach "Calvinism"? (Flowers & Wilson)

Was "Calvinism"Introduced By Augustine?

Christ is greater than Adam. This is the primary point being made in Romans 5:12-21. Whatever consequences Adam's sin brought on every man, the cross of Christ has negated for every man. No matter what consequences Adam's sin could have brought on every man, the cross of Christ has canceled for every man.

Christ is Greater

Christ is greater than Adam. The cross is greater than the consequences of sin. Grace is greater than sin itself. Grace prevails!

Failure to see this point in this passage ultimately pollutes many - if not most- other doctrines and conclusions drawn from Scripture. As I've mentioned before, this passage - and its misinterpretation - is the root of much of the division within Christianity. Why do we have all these various denominations? Much of the reason is found in misunderstanding and misapplying this passage. It's that important.

Universal Grace

Universal grace is not only available to every person...it has already been applied to every person. Grace and its universal application however, does not equate to universal salvation. The grace of God through the cross of Christ is indeed applied to every human being at conception. Every baby is born free from any consequences of Adam's sin, save one, physical death.

We are not born depraved. We are not born guilty. No one has ever been born condemned as a result of Adam's sin. Why? Because grace - Christ - is greater than sin and specifically Adam's sin. Even physical death - a necessary part of salvation's plan - is negated and overcome by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Does this fly in the face of what you have been taught? Is this seemingly inconsistent with your denomination's "statement of faith"? Probably.

Listen to this week's episode and you'll soon discover that it is, in fact, the truth of God's word.

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Click Here to Study Romans From the Beginning

The entire point of Romans 5:12-21 is that the gift of grace is greater than any or all of the effects of Adam's sin. To miss this is to miss everything else explained in the passage.

Giving Credit

This episode begins by addressing an email that I received pointing out my negligence in giving proper credit to those authors, instructors, and influencers from whom I have readily drawn. I admit that I have been lax in this reporting. To correct this, I have posted a list (although a very incomplete list) of many of the men from whom I have learned. You can read the post here. In addition to this post, I also address this at the beginning of this week's episode.

On The Shoulders of Giants

There is no denying the influence others have had on our lives. This is especially true for those of us who have endeavored to learn from and then teach others. This takes on greater significance when we are doing so with regard to Scripture. Below I have included a few links to a couple of the most influential and most recent persons from whom I have garnered a great deal. These are provided for you to have access to the same for yourself.

The Gift is Greater

Jumping back to our study of Romans, our next section, verses 14-17, we see Paul emphasizing Christ over Adam. More specifically, whatever the effects of Adam's sin on humanity, the cross of Christ has overcome, negated, and much more! In this episode we address several of the issues we've raised previously with respect to the scope of "many" and "all", as well as the "much more" found in Christ.

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Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here

Additional Resources

Books by Dr. Jack Cottrell

The Faith Once For AllCommentary on RomansSet Free! What the Bible Says About GraceJackCottrell.com

Books by Dr. Ken Wilson

The Foundation of Augustinian-CalvinismAugustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'Non-free Free Will'

Romans 5:12

Death is experienced by all men because of Adam's sin. This is the reality of our existence as fallen people in a fallen world. This section of Romans 5, specifically verses 12-14, establish several critical points. One man is responsible for human beings having to experience physical death. Just as through one man sin entered the world, his one sin also brought death.

Interestingly enough, this verse affirms the reality of Adam's existence. Meaning, that Paul here confirms the fact of Adam being an actual historical individual. Adam is not a fictional character or mythical allegory. He was the real and verified first person to ever exist. Jesus refers to him in an historical context as well. The truth is, if Adam were not historically real, the legitimacy of Paul's comparing him to Christ is lost.

Adam Is Our Federal Head

Adam is the "federal head" of the human race. He represented all of humankind. What he did affects and effects all of us. We experience physical death by virtue of his representing the entire human race when he first sinned. We do not die as a result of personal sin but as a consequence of Adam's sin. Death through Adam. Although this is a fact, it does not justify concluding that this necessarily leads to a doctrine of original sin. Original sin as a concept is found in this passage, but it is clearly not Paul's point nor the doctrine he is teaching!

Don't Forget The Context!

We cannot forget the context of Paul's teaching. In fact, he is counting on the fact that we have remembered what he has already taught us. In anticipating an argument his Jewish readers would have jumped to, Paul is making it clear who he is talking about.

Jews may have concluded that since people died between Adam and Moses - before the Law was given - that this proves death comes from Adam and not personal sin (death through Adam). But this is an invalid argument. Why? Because there was law between Adam and Moses. Paul argues this in chapter 1:18-32. Therefore, the proof of death through Adam is not demonstrated by those who died during that period of time.

Instead, what proves his point is that babies (i.e. infants, children, and the mentally handicapped) in all times, sometimes die. These obviously can't die as a result of personal sin because they are unable to commit such sin. (Personal sin is the result of personal decision; "in the likeness of the offense of Adam" v. 14.) Therefore, their death must be the result of Adam's sin. Death through Adam.

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Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here

Original grace* or original sin? Which one are we born with? This question - and its answer - is the root of many of the differences between denominations. And Romans 5:12-21 is the passage of Scripture most often used to defend the teaching of original sin. But what if that common understanding is wrong? How does that effect our understanding of grace?

What Is Original Sin?

Original sin is the belief and teaching that all babies are born sinners and are born depraved. The extent of this depravity at birth - either partial or total - is also a major distinction among denominations. Some believe babies are born only partially depraved and retain a certain ability to respond to God's grace once they are older. Others teach that babies are born totally depraved and completely incapable of responding to God positively in any way, shape, or form. And then there are those between these views.

How a particular denomination answers the question also determines their practice of baptizing infants or not. Those who accept total depravity often baptize infants for salvation. Others teach that God "elects" some babies and condemns others. Still others don't practice infant baptism and believe only mature persons of a certain age/comprehension should receive baptism. All of these practices and variations hinge - to great extent - on interpretations of Romans 5:12-21.

Original Grace*

The real question is, what is Paul's point in drawing out the comparison between Adam and Jesus? What is he emphasizing and why? Missing the point is what has led to a great many false assumptions and false teachings.

Paul's comparison has one sole purpose: to point out how the cross of Christ has overcome every effect of Adam's first sin. Whatever Adam's sin did bring or potentially could have brought upon mankind, Jesus has overcome. In effect - in actuality - the cross and God's grace through it has negated all the negative effects of Adam's sin on humanity. Therefore, every person is born, was born, and will be born with original grace.

(*The phrase original grace was coined by Dr. Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology, Cincinnati Christian University, retired.)

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Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here

Four key questions will help clarify the overall meaning of Romans 5:12-21.*

Q1: What is the purpose of the passage relative to the immediate context of chapter 5 and the rest of Romans as a whole?

Q2: Does this passage teach the doctrine of original sin?

Q3: What is the scope of the words many and all as they are used in this passage?

Q4: Does this passage teach universal salvation?

The answers to these four questions will remove some of the "problems" of interpreting this passage.

(*These questions do not originate with me. They were formulated by Dr. Jack Cottrell, retired professor of theology. In fact, much of my understanding of Romans has resulted from his previous work.)

Historically Challenging

Historically, this passage of Scripture has presented theological and exegetical challenges. That is, how the passage should be interpreted and what does it mean. No doubt, it can be somewhat confusing. However, once four key questions are answered, the passage becomes very clear.

This passage is foundational to teaching what is commonly known as Original Sin. Since Augustine in the fifth century, and reinforced by nearly all of the Reformers, this text has been used to justify the doctrine that everyone is born totally depraved, guilty, and condemned to hell because of Adam's sin.

While used for this justification, it is ironic that this passage actually teaches the exact opposite. Paul is not teaching original sin but original grace. When the four key questions are answered relative to what the passage actually says, Paul's point becomes clear.

A Continuation of Assurance

When you see - as seems obvious - that the context of 5:12-21 is a continuation of 5:1-11, relative to the previous chapters, the argument is obvious.

Paul is continuing to present his comparisons and contrasts between law on the one hand and grace on the other. Two opposing views. One compared to the other. General/Moral Revelation vs. Special Revelation. Law vs. Grace. Works vs. Faith. Enemies vs. Family. And now, Adam vs. Jesus. It's seems simple enough but why do so many get it wrong and continue to emphasize a point Paul is not making? Good question. These four key questions will help to answer the one.

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Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here

What's the point? Jesus is the point!

If we fail to remember this, we are doomed to misinterpretations and misunderstandings of Scripture. Jesus - His cross, His blood, His love - is the point. Why does this matter? Because if forgotten, we tend to pull passages out of their context. Our upcoming passage in Romans 5:12-21 is a perfect example.

Context, Context, Context

As you've learned from past episodes, context is a critical component in hermeneutics (interpreting the Bible). Knowing, for example, the definition of a word is important. But how that word is used in context ultimately determines its meaning.

Romans 5:12-21, our next section of study, is a passage that is infamously known for being taken out of its larger context. What is the larger context? The comparison that Paul is making between the law-system and grace-system for salvation. He has compared them head-to-head (Romans 1:18-3:20). Abraham is used as an illustration and pattern to follow (Romans 4). And in Romans 5:1-11, Paul shows us how Christ's death, while we were still enemies of God, is proof of His continued power to protect us.

To protect us until when? Until we completely receive the fullness of our salvation in glorified bodies - united with our justified spirits. God protects us by His power through our continued faith in Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:5). We can be certain of our assurance of salvation because of what God has done "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8).

The All-Sufficiency of the Death of Christ

The point continues. In Romans 5:12-21, Paul continues to draw comparisons between law and grace. More specifically, he draws a comparison between what Adam brought into the world through his sin and what Jesus has brought into the world through His death. It is a comparison between "one transgression" and "one act of righteousness" (Romans 5:18). And as always with Paul, Jesus is still the point!

Failure to recognize and remember the larger context and the argument Paul is making through contrast and comparison will result in bad theology. And as you know, Theology Matters!

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Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here

Without a doubt, you can be 100% certain that you are saved. Regardless of any - and in fact, regardless of every - circumstance you ever encounter in this life, you can have absolute assurance of your salvation. Sound impossible? Not when you understand the basis of your assurance.

While We Were Yet Sinners

In Romans 5:1-11, Paul is contrasting two different conditions. The first, what we once were. The second, what we are now. It is in understanding what you once were - and what happened while you were - that grounds our confidence in what we are now. Not only that, but it gives assurance of what we will yet be.

Before you turned to God, you were His enemy. Plain and simple. You hated Him and He hated you. You were at war. Even if you were unaware of the battle. But after you came to God in faith, you became His friend. You are now no longer His enemy. This is the basis for being "without a doubt."

Why? Because it was while you (and I) were His enemy that He sent His Son to die for you...in your place. Why does this matter and how is it related to being "without a doubt" of salvation? Because if, while we are still His enemy, Christ died for us, how much more confident should we be that He will take care of us now that we are His friends?

Without A Doubt

Think about it. God took the initiative to put aside His enmity for us first, and before we were even interested in putting aside ours for Him. While we were actively opposed to and fighting against Him, Christ died for us. That's the point!

If God was willing to go to those lengths while we were yet sinners, how much more can we be confident that He will get us to heaven? The question is not about God's keeping His end of the "bargain" (if you'll pardon the term) but whether we will keep the faith. It all hinges on our keeping faith. This is why Paul begins to stress the negative experiences we go through in this life.

When our circumstances get difficult or we have to go through tragedy and loss, will we blame Him or keep walking in faith? Paul tells us to see these challenges and obstacles as opportunities. Why? Because now that we are God's children (John 1:12-13), He will use these experiences for our good (Romans 8:28). Herein lies our assurance!

Praise Jesus and glory to God!!!

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Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here

Go with what you know! This is a phrase that I use on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, Paul basically says the same thing in Romans 5:1. Justification by faith - for the one who has faith - is a present reality. It is not a distant wish or a figment of your imagination. Right now, you truly are justified and you truly are saved, by faith.

Peace With God

The direct result of this reality is an equally amazing dual reality. You are no longer an enemy of God! We have peace with God, through faith in Jesus Christ. You are no longer at war with God. And make no mistake, you were at war with God. Hard to believe we would even consider such a thing - being at war with God - how absurd.

And yet, we were. I was too. Think about it. At war with the Creator of the universe?! How amazingly ignorant, obstinate, and arrogant must we be to think this is a war we can win?! Utter insanity. And still millions openly welcome such a battle. Sad. It is truly sad.

I Don't Feel Saved

Many of you may know that I am a product of the 80's, specifically 80's rock music. Most of you will also remember I'm a fan of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen. I can't help but think about the line from a song on the 1984 album. "I don't feel tardy."

Just because you don't feel something does not mean that reality isn't different. David Lee Roth may not "feel tardy" but that does not negate his "being tardy." In the same sense, your "being forgiven" (i.e. justified) does not necessarily mean you will always "feel forgiven." You have to go with what you know. What is the truth? Has not God declared you justified by faith? Your circumstances and experiences have nothing whatsoever to do with the reality of your salvation.

Go With What You Know

Being at peace with God is an objective state. It is not a subjective feeling. However, the subjective feeling and "peace of mind" is a natural consequence of being at peace with God, objectively. The key is knowing it.

If you want to "feel" peace you have to trust in "knowing" you are already at peace. As a Christian, you are truly saved and you are truly at peace with Him. He has declared it so. If God has said it is a fact, why should we doubt Him? Has He not demonstrated His trustworthiness? In fact, Paul will tell us in later verses that the biggest reason to trust Him now is because "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Go with what you know, not how you feel.

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Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here

Assurance - being 100% confident that you are saved - is based squarely on your understanding of justification by grace through faith. The single greatest reason I am spending time going through the Book of Romans is to help you have just such an assurance.

Therefore...

Romans 5:1 begins with these words: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the essence of assurance of our salvation. We are no longer an enemy of God. There is no longer any hostility or enmity between us and God. Not because of anything we have done. But because God took the initiative.

This assurance - confidence that we will go to heaven - is sorely lacking for far too many Christians. But Paul is telling us, "therefore" - by way of the arguments I have already made - you can be fully confident of your salvation. If this is the case, then why do so many have doubts? Mainly because they do not understand the basis for this assurance.

Justification By Faith...Again...Still

What is the proper basis for having such assurance? Nothing less than the knowledge that we are justified by our faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. Paul begins this chapter by reminding us of all that he has taught and presented in the previous four chapters. "Therefore" is there for us to recall and remind ourselves of what he has been teaching.

Justification - forgiveness of our sins - is not possible by law keeping. It is only possible by grace and is received by faith. We cannot allow ourselves to forget the comparison that Paul has been making from the beginning of this letter. If we do, we run the risk of misinterpreting and then misapplying his teaching. The result of which is either a false sense of security or a continued state of uncertainty.

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Click Here to Study Romans From the Beginning