Theodicy Soteriology, Hermeneutics

SOTERIOLOGY : M. M. NINAN
the way of peace they do not know."18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."19 Now we
know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth
may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.20 Therefore no one will be
declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become
conscious of sin.21 But now righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22 This righteousness from God comes through
faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,23 for all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God,24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that came by Christ Jesus.
Evidently the quotation was to prove that both Jews and gentiles are alike – both are sinners.
Paul goes on to say in verse 20 that no one will be declared righteous before the Lord by
observing the law. Even if a person observes the law and even though a person is declared
righteous according to the law, he is not righteous before God. Laws are based on
sociological context in the context of history. Even to be righteous according to the law is
difficult. The revelation of God is progressive through history because God’s standards are
much higher and is based on Selfless Love and not on the transient Law. This is made clear
in verse 23 by reference to the glory of God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God. In terms of the Law one may be righteous but in terms of the glory of God, everyone is
imperfect. This is inevitable within the context of finiteness of creation. Paul’s whole teaching
is to go beyond the Law into the realm of Love. In that terms no one will be counted
righteous. This was indeed the heritage of the sons of men because of the fall of Adam.
Sin is given a new meaning here not in terms of Law but in terms of the Royal Law. In that
terms no one meets the standard and no one can. Even Jesus could not as a man. (This may
look blasphemous. Please read Jesus and the original sin)
In the same letter Paul asserts
Rom 5: 16 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even
over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the
one to come.
There were people who did not sin even before Jesus’ atonement. So the doctrine of total
inability is an imposition on the text. It certainly refers to difficulty of meeting this demand, he
can and do try – falling short of the glory of God. Man cannot just reach that glory of God.
The picture is that of a man performing high jump. He can certainly jump high - but not high
enough to clear the standard of God. This no one can except empowered by God.
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