I just learned that the book of Romans was written in a “prosopopeia” style. This means Paul was representing himself debating with an imaginary opponent (Saul). No wonder scholars for years have said that Paul sounded like he was talking out of both sides of his mouth. Yes, Ephesians is the book that professes Paul’s gospel more clearly. Great conversation.
I find it quite amazing at how difficult preachers make understanding forgiveness and sacrifice and the crucifixion, as if it is difficult to understand. Forgiveness is always a sacrifice, the forgiver is giving freedom from "justice", by accepting the loss caused by the offence within the relationship, for example debt forgiveness, the forgiver sustains the loss, the loss doesn't just disappear, the transgression of the relationship is accepted and held by the offended party. We are in relationship with God, we exist in him, we are not independent of God. Sin is not a transgression against a set of arbitrary laws, sin is a transgression against life, the destruction of life, on loan to us by God. Sin is a transgression against what God is, Psa.51:4 God is life/love. The damage and loss sin is has to be parked somewhere, it doesn't just disappear. Christ is our creator, the source of our existence and the receiver of our death, he became our sin/death and always was intended to be. Sin is against the life of God, our own life. To live we have to be willing to live in the only life there is. I wonder why I have such a death wish.
