The basic teaching of Paul in Romans 4 is that the quality of faith that Abraham exemplifies prior to the giving of the Law is now open to all of us-Jews and gentiles alike-through Christ.

• If we are sinful and can be saved only by the merits of Christ, then we don’t have much to brag about when the topic of salvation comes up at the weekly bridge club. In essence, Paul teaches that we have been saved inspite of ourselves, not because we are deserving through our personal successes.

• Yet personal piety / Law are not in conflict with the gospel; Paul is now able to understand better the purpose or function of the Law through Christian glasses. Christ has not done away with the Law but has more aptly fulfilled not only the letter but also the spirit of the law as he fulfills the promise to Abraham.

• While Abraham (Genesis 12) is the new beginning that God makes after the dreary and dismal account of the first eleven chapters of creation, in Romans, Abraham is viewed as the first ray of hope in the midst of some more dreary, baleful accounts. Thus, Abraham is important to Jewish and Christian traditions. Abraham is our father in the faith(s).

 

Paul’s "if/then" construction suggests the fundamental difference between Jewish and Christian faith traditions: righteousness through works vis-à-vis righteousness through faith.

• What are some of the common responses to the discussion of faith vis-à-vis works?

"If we’re good enough and do our best, that’s really all God requires."
"If I didn’t believe in a God why would I be doing good deeds at all?"
"What good is being good for?"
"Is it possible to believe and not to demonstrate good works?"

• How might faith and "righteous deeds" work together in our Christian faith?

 

Law and Faith-Create tension. We’re all aware of the tension that exists between law and grace, between works and faith. The 16^th century Protestant Reformation and the Counter-reformation will provide excellent examples. You might begin by placing these age-old tensions in modern scenarios and contexts. Use experience, stories, examples and current views of "righteousness" to hold this idea of tension before listeners.

• Abraham is our father in the faith(s) (3:31-4:12). Abraham may well be our common denominator in this discussion. You might want to review your commentaries on this very passage to refresh your memory about Paul’s treatment (and use) of Abraham and the Law of Moses vis-à-vis Christian faith.

• Promise and Faith-suggest how Abraham is our father in the faith (4:13-25). Abraham becomes a focal point for both promise and grace. Abraham is the new beginning because in him God’s purpose of calling sinful humanity back to trust is evident.