Re: [TruthTalk] Trapped in the Flag

[Lance Muir]

It's inspiring to read your reflections. Do keep on with them as you continue to listen. ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: December 04, 2004 13:13 Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Trapped in the Flag In a message dated 12/4/2004 9:14:03 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I will do my part to assist in your induction.   You mentioned the Romans in a Week. Would you recommend this? Is it a tape series or a book? (I prefer books). What are the awesome aspects (one or two to begin with so we can discus them without getting bogged down with hours-long posts)?   -- slade Yes --  absolutely.   I think Wright gives an earlier date to Romans than you might, which leads him to believe that the book was written more to the Gentile portion of the church in anticipation of the returning Jewish population (and church) to Rome  But, he does have the same view of Torah and "nomos" as you.   There is much in this book or CD presentation that you would like  --  and Wright speaks very much as a student (hence "scholar").   I mentioned earlier, that much of your reading or reference list was similar to mine.   Same tastes to a real degree.   I do think Wright would offer much to your understanding.  So  - yes (once again.) I haven't gotten to his discussion of chapters 7 and 8.   Should be good  --  todays is the day  !!!   The one thing that jumped out to me, and certainly not a new concept, but impressive to me (as I drove home last night  --  listening to the Wright CD for a change :-) .)   And it was (is) this  --  that it is not so much that Christ was a sacrifice for our sins (something with which he does not dispute) but that this death was proof in and of itself that God loved us because God performed this deed Himself (in Christ) rather than as an assignment given to another AND (as it occured to me) that the cross is much more than a human offering  --  it is a willful, voluntary offering of the very person of Christ  --   He doing all that could be possibly done  in showing His love for His creation.   As a result, last night once again, I did not see the Christ as a sacrifice for my wrongs so much as I saw Him as one who had done all that He could do in proving His friendship and willing partnership for ME and, at the same time, offering a solution to the Father that could not be rejected.   The Cross is the grandest picture of pure solution (sacrifice) and friendship that anyone could possiblby imagine.   I am very much in love with that Man and his work of service for me  --   a man's man willing to become tortured  for those who may or may not respond.   I am ashamed when my response in no way mirrors my appreciation for this event, for this Person  --   I am enthusiastic knowing that my failure is of no ultimate concern to him because of his indisputable offer on my behalf.   Praise the Lord.   The miracle of this idea is that it moves us to tears and devotion over and over and over again.   What I got out of this book study is that God is at work in me both to will and to do His good pleasure   --   through identification, in part, with what Paul was trying to say in this good book.   John John