From Tom Degeneffe

The class discussion last Sunday (ch. 14) was so challenging and informative! I only wish that we had the time to delve into all of the application questions that this chapter raises! What really strikes me as being crucial in applying this teaching is the discernment necessary to determine whether a particular issue falls into the category of liberty / opinion, thus the instructions of this chapter apply ... or ... does it come under the instruction of I Corinthians 1:10; II Thess. 3:14-15; II John 9 etc. and is thus a fellowship issue. Kirk brought up the probability that the believers in Rome were meeting in several small house churches, yet the Spirit addressed them as a united body and this chapter instructs them to receive each other without passing judgement on differences of opinion. This principle must have some relevance in our culture, where many localized groups of believers meet together for worship and are engaged in the discovery of God's word and how it applies to them, coming to differing conclusions in many matters. What an intense level of mature, loving discernment is necessary to determine how to respond to this situation without compromising truth, yet not allowing division with those who are also accepted by the Father.

From Wes Seymour

(**Edited note: So sorry it took me so long to publish this post. Wes sent this to me when we were studying Chapter 13, and life just got in the way of a timely post. Sorry!!)

really bummed i had to miss the discussion in class last week (Chapter 13), the beginning of this chapter has been a big point of interest to me for a long time. in college i read a book on the differences of major religions, and the "human" reasoning or explanations behind them. when the author came to Christianity, he claimed that the real reason the word of christ spread so quickly throughout the region was because the leaders of the roman government at the time secretly wanted and encouraged it to. not because they were believers in christ, but mainly for the content and instructions in the first half of this chapter. to obey all laws of the government, that they were actually placed into power by god himself to enforce his will, to pay taxes, and not rebel against them. that their reward is in the life after this one ... to even embrace suffering and even persecution! that always made alot of sense to me.

on another note i love vs 8 "let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another." wow that one is totally getting highlighted!