This Would SOLVE 99% of Christian Debates | Bible Reading Plan: Day 35, Romans 14-16
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Ever wonder how to handle disagreements in the church without division? In today’s episode, Dr. Manny Arango unpacks Romans 14-16, where Paul gives practical wisdom on disputable matters, Christian unity, and how love should guide our convictions. We also dive into a major debate-what does the Bible really say about women in ministry? Plus, a hidden truth about the Book of Romans that changes how we see Paul’s letter.
✈️ Overview:
• Paul shifts from theology to practical Christian living, urging believers to walk in unity despite differences.
• Romans 14 discusses “disputable matters”-non-essential issues where believers have freedom of conscience.
• Paul emphasizes serving others, avoiding unnecessary debates, and prioritizing love over being “right.”
• Romans 16 reveals key female leaders in the early church, challenging traditional views on women in ministry.
🔎 Context Clues:
• Romans is a support letter-Paul writes not just to settle church conflicts but also to seek financial help for his mission to Spain.
• Who are the “weak” and the “strong”? Paul calls those who hold stricter views on food laws and holy days “weak,” while those who understand Christian freedom are “strong.”
• Tension with Roman authorities-Paul advises submission to governing authorities (Romans 13) despite Roman oppression, showing a nuanced, non-extreme approach to faith and politics.
🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:
• Disputable vs. indisputable matters-Romans 14 teaches that some issues (like food laws) are subjective, but others (like sexual immorality) are not up for debate.
• Phoebe the Deacon-Paul commends Phoebe as a deacon (Romans 16:1), affirming women in leadership, despite some translations downplaying her role.
• Junia the Apostle-Romans 16:7 mentions Junia, a female apostle, though later scribes altered her name to make her male, revealing bias in church history.
• The cultural weight of “clothing yourself in Christ”-In ancient times, a person had to be properly clothed to approach a king. Jesus does this for us spiritually, making us presentable before God.
✅ Timeless Truths:
• Wisdom is found in tension, not extremes-Paul balances submission to government with ultimate allegiance to Christ, avoiding political polarization.
• Unity over uniformity-Believers will always have disputable matters, but love and humility must guide how we handle them.
• True strength serves others-Paul teaches that the “strong” should bear with the “weak,” prioritizing love over theological pride.
Romans 14-16 offers a powerful blueprint for navigating Christian disagreements with grace. Instead of fighting over non-essentials, Paul challenges us to walk in love, honor each other, and stay focused on the mission.
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Shout out to all my Women in Ministry 🙌🙌
Thank you Pastor Manny!
Day 35. ☑️
Day 35 Reading 📜 & Video complete ✅
Day 35 reading and video ✅ todays reading resolved an on going conversation I’ve been having with the LORD. 🙏🏼🙌🏼
I’ve been guilty of going in over disputable matters. ESP during election time. Thank you Pastor Manny for high lighting this text. The example about personal conviction makes so much sense. If it’s sin to me without t being directly against Gods word then I won’t do it. Also being careful not to be a stumbling block to this weaker in the faith by asserting my rights. Yup kearning to be responsible vs right!
Day 35 ✔️
Day 35 reading and episode COMPLETED! Funny...aren't personal greetings suppose to be at the beginning of a letter??? Once again, the delivery technique by Paul is so powerful and I believe it to be a bit intentional as well. A speaker climax at the end is just a different delivery technique but very strategic and creates a strong and memorable closing impression for the audience. It's a crescendo ending of sorts, and the intention is to build "tension". For as long as I've been in the Kingdom, I've heard different stances on women in ministry. This is personal for me, because my Mother was a Minister and I believe she was called by God. So, to see how Paul commended the women in Ch 16 makes me further appreciate the context and nuggets given. Why would this ever be disputed, especially when we are encouraged to walk in unity and act in love (even towards people that we don't agree with). It's so easy for us to believe so many deep things about God yet not believe that he would use a woman to promote the Gospel. My hope is that the full evidence of Scripture and an understanding of balance and consistency in interpretation (by platforms like ARMA) cause people to rethink some of the theological stances and also give clarity (and conviction) when it comes to the full participation of women in ministry.
I agree with you. I grew up Baptist & Women were not allowed in the Pulpit. It baffles me as well because God spoke through a Donkey. He is not a respectar of persons either.as you mentioned when love is the motivating factor then it makes things we don’t agree with easier.
Romans 14 Paul said "don't eat if it offends the weak"; "don't let anyone say something you like is evil"; but then "keep it between you and God". I'm confused by Paul (not unusual😊) but which should you do - speak up to defend something your conscience isn't bothered by or keep silent and leave it between you and God? I hear what you (Dr Manny) say - "keep it between you and God", but what about the part that says "don't let anyone say something you're not condemned about is evil"?
EDITED TO ADD: Okay, after thinking about it, I get it. Don't let someone in private or a preacher tell me something non-essential/disputable to Scripture is evil BUT don't make an issue of it in front of those weak in conscience. But I'm not deleting my comment in case Dr. Manny should decide to go to into more detail if he sees my comment.
The disputable matters part, was a whole word! What would it look like it, if we kept those things between us and God?
That was my standout before he even said it! Boom! Lightbulb went off for me.
"By the end of the book of Acts, he gets to Rome, he's on house arrest... and then he died in Rome". So does that mean it was during Acts is when Paul visited Corinth, Galatians, Colosians, etc.?
Why did you use the term bible nerds
Cuz we all up in the word taking deep dives. Nerds in my day was the smart ,”bookworms”
Hey, ouch, I am vegan. 😂