Row, man!

             In Romans, Paul spends a large portion of the book discussing aspects of Jews and Jewish history. Why does Paul do this in a letter to a Roman church? There must have been a reason; the most obvious explanation is that the Romans needed to hear it. One indication that the Romans could make use of information on Jews comes from the Brown reading, which explains that most religions’ understanding of other religions was “. . . partial, inaccurate, and even prejudiced” (Brown 1). Perhaps one of Paul’s purposes here is to address any misinformation about Judaism that may have been present in Rome. Another clue comes from Paul’s repeated admonishment of Jewish superiority. Paul explains in chapter two that inward understanding and observance of God’s law is greater than observing various religious laws and customs. Based on this, perhaps Paul was also addressing Jewish-Christians that were in danger of being prideful because of their Jewish heritage. The initial question of why Paul writes at length about Judaism leads to a further examination of these passages. This more in-depth look reveals further quandaries about the precise meaning of what Paul says.

              Many parts of Paul’s writings on the Jewish/gentile matter are easy to understand and rather comforting to the gentile reader. For example, one of Paul’s main ideas is that anyone who confesses and believes will be saved because God does not show favoritism. Any gentile, Roman or not, is very happy to hear that. However, Paul also makes statements that are seemingly contradictory to the idea of God’s unbiased love and mercy. One of the biggest statements is a reference to Exodus, where Paul explains that God hardens some (like Pharaoh) and shows mercy to others. The idea that God causes some to harden their hearts against him was bothersome at the beginning of the semester, and is still bothersome when revisited now.

Although there is no obvious, new revelation on the troublesome Pharaoh incident here, it is interesting to note that Paul specifically says that the Pharaoh incident is proof of God’s justice. The remainder of chapter nine is troublesome as well. Paul says that humans are dependent on God’s mercy, and have no right to complain because God is the creator and the humans were created. Therefore, God has the right to make “. . .some. . . for noble purposes and some for common use” (Romans 9:21). This alone is not particularly troublesome; it could just be a reference to the ‘body of Christ’ metaphor. However, it is immediately followed with, “What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath- prepared for destruction?” (Romans 9:22). Now, since Paul wrote this as a question, perhaps this statement can be disregarded. However, Paul was also a God-inspired author and should not just be brushed aside because he says something that is hard to understand. 

              It would seem that God chooses to show mercy to some, and some he chooses to use to show his wrath. However, many other portions of the bible emphasize God’s great love for humanity, like in II Peter when it says, “Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). This shows a different side of God’s patience that contrasts with the patience described in Romans 9. Perhaps, based on this, God is patient with the objects of his wrath so that they may eventually be saved. Furthermore, God created each with different personalities. Therefore, perhaps it is easier for some to accept Christ than others. This would not mean that God shows favoritism, but rather that God is creative and makes everybody different. So when those that are stubborn or more naturally rejecting of God decide to follow him, his glory is shown.

              To be honest, I have no idea what I’m talking about here. In conclusion, I know that God is ultimately good and loves humans. The scriptures back this time and again. So although I do not have all of the answers, and some things about the bible are hard to understand, I am alright with that. That’s not to say I will not think about these things though.