I am eager to announce the good news to you -Paul
It's alive, the word of God that is. Every time you crack the book, mouth the words; the voice of God is heard. In Romans 1 Paul is desparate to preach the gospel in Rome. It is his driving passion. What follows are a string of clauses verifying the cause of his intensity.
No shame for the gospel
the gospel is the power of God
in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed
for the wrath of God is being revealed.
There is no end of debate among scholars in regards to this text. A lot of ink has been spilt concerning the matter of theme and the nature of the "righteousness of God." In my simplicity I'm left wondering if we have in our quest to legitimize our theology failed to regard Paul's intent. As seen in his ethos and in his own words. While I have my own opinions of the "righteousness of God" as to its objectivity or subjectivity in this text, I will leave that for another venue. What strikes me is that Paul has realized that his message is linked to prophecy, and a historical event in time which has made the rightousness of God available (accessable?).
When Paul opens his mouth, people hear the voice of God and the righteousness of God is unveiled. (I reject the assumption by some that apokalupsis here is a technical term. It is more of a historial reference than it is an eschatological one). Something has happened, continues to happen. "In the cross of Christ I glory." In Paul's mind when he preaches the gospel something happens. The righteousness of God is unveiled and mankind shudders under the downpour of her accountability or is ushered into the springtime of he recreation.
Have you ever considered how you react to voices? At some we shudder while at others we warm. God's voice draws you or condemns you. I suppose it all depends upon how it sounds in your ear. Unfortunately not many seem to be listening. At the risk of sounding Barthian (perhaps I already have?) I perceive that Paul was convinced that his preaching had the power to create or condemn. I am left to wonder if for so many listeners and speakers alike, preaching /teaching has lost any sense of relavance. It does not fit in our contemporary atmosphere. Perhaps nothing happens because we don't expect anything to happen. It is not a lack of faith in the historical event or the person of Jesus but that the word when spoken is alive. That is it has a life of its own. God may use our vocal cords but it's his voice. His reverberating voice is not only timeless but right on time. Sola Scriptura, WHB
