Biblical Worldview Essay

WAY OF LIFE ACCORDING TO ROMANS CHAPTER 1 – 8
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Introduction
Since man is religious in nature, it is common that he attempts to find some of the form of meaning that is external to him. In all his relations, whether explicitly or not, man lives his life-affirming the superiority of something else. This object of his that moves his depths with such passion that it enables him to wake up in the morning is His God. For the Christian, God is understood through the scripture. This makes Paul’s letter to the Romans so essential because it explains how a Christian can adhere to that which moves his entire self.
The Natural World
In chapter one of the Romans, Paul concentrates in demonstrating the predefined status of the world. According to the text, God has created the world in perfect form according to his plan. However, he argues that the natural order is upset by the sins. Since man rejects the will of God and acts according to his whims, the Lord abandons him. A man without God soon succumbs to unnatural desires that further aggravate the incoherence. (1:21) Paul advises therefore that natural order can only be achieved through observance of Gods law. (1:18)
In (5:12) he furthers this argument indicating that sin entered the world through one person. This is realistic because if God is the meaning of everything Man does, alienation from Him created despair. The natural order is therefore changed as man attempts to find another source of meaning for his life.

In alluding to yielding to unnatural desires, Paul intends to emphasize the fact that only God can fully fulfill the heart of man. Anything else in inconsistent to His desires and therefore satisfies him only temporarily. This according to Paul should not cause despair because just as the disorder was created by one individual; it can be restored by one person. In chapter 7, he discusses the importance of coherence between the natural and the supernatural in sustaining man.
Human Identity
According to Paul, the human being was created in the image of God, and everything about him is therefore affixed to God otherwise corrupt (1:18). He continues to demonstrate ways in which abandoning God has resulted in deterioration of human dignity. However, in (5:8) Paul proclaims that man is still valued and loved. His constant yearning for meaning and consequently for God has been received by God Almighty. As thus, all human beings are redeemed despite their race or gender. Equality of every human being is a central point in Paul’s letter to the Romans. There is a broad insistence on the justification of redemption to those who are not circumcised. (3:11) In fact, he insists that the human value is superior to everything. (8:1) The actions of a person that are coherent with biblical principles are regarded as more important that physical rituals. (7:4)
This is crucial since Paul is addressing Christians in Rome where a majority are Gentiles and therefore uncircumcised. In early evangelical missions, apostles were torn in between insistence that a person becomes a Jew first and then christen vis-à-vis letting individuals remain within their culture. Paul feels that the outward law is irrelevant and human identity is what remains in his soul.
Human Relationships
From the beginning of the letter, Paul exhorts social responsibility. (1:14) In this verse, he says he is responsible to both Greeks and the non-Greeks. Even though certainly a very busy man, Paul aims at utilizing every possible means to serve the people. This way, Paul sets the model for Christian relationships. A Christian must always burn with concern for the other person. He must be compassionate and sensitive to the particulate condition that the Lord has the other person pass through. As mentioned before, the apostle is very keen on insisting the equality of men before God. (3:11) In particular, Paul, therefore, admonishes those who may be tempted to judge others. (2:1) Chapter two begins with the acknowledgment that every individual is a sinner. It is impossible for any person to claim to be holy. If human beings should practice the law of an eye for an eye, then judging others exposes one to judgment from God. Instead, Christians must endeavor to assist each other to live in a godly way. Concerning those who persecute Christians, Paul suggests patience and perseverance. In chapter 5, he remarks that suffering bears endurance which will breed character. Suffering is, therefore, an intricate part of Christian life. (5:3)
Culture
This first thing that Paul evaluates concerning culture is the fact that is related to a Christian’s life. Discordant cultures result in wrath from God. (1:18) This rage leads to the birth of human suffering in unconventional practices that further disrupt natural order. Actions are more important than words. In chapter two, there is a continuation of the discussion on the need for coherence in deed and words. (2:22)Paul notes that some circumcised people neglect the law while the uncircumcised keep the law. In a continuation of his teaching that actions are better than words, he insists that in this case, the non-circumcised was truer Jews customs than the uncircumcised. However, he is careful to remind the people that Christianity does not preclude one from secular law. Even though the Christians are no longer subjects to this law, thy must obey it at all time. (3:30)
This is importance because Christianity should not be an excuse to create trouble in the society. This example follows Christ’s example of the coin and taxes. Christ emphasizes the need to pay taxes saying “give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God. In any case, he reminds Christians that there are consequences from every action that a Christian partakes. (6:25)
Conclusion
The book of Romans is very educative on the proper code of conduct for a Christian living. Paul uses the letter to the need for appropriate behavior. In a particular way, he concentrates on human to human relationships and also human to God relationships. These relationships are governed by law. There is the divine law that Paul feels is the backbone of a Christian life. However, secular law is also necessary I regulating the relationship[s between people thus fostering harmony, with this book, Paul nurtures an understanding of the true nature of a Christian which van be summarized simple as love God, Love fellow man and do good always.

Bibliography
Bible- King James Version, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, n.d.
Carron, Julian. I Have Loved You With An Everlasting Love: I Had Pity On Your Nothingness. Ebook. 1st ed. Rimini, 2016.
Donfried, K. P. “Book Review: God’s Justice In Romans: Keys For Interpreting The Epistle To The Romans”. Theological Studies 71, no. 4 (2010): 951-952.