Question:  Dear Greg,

            How can I explain “salvation through Christ alone” when someone brings up Romans 1:18-20?

            Thanks,

            Grant

 

Answer:  Dear Grant,

            I don’t mean to be either cute or curt.  But first of all, I completely fail to see what “damage” verses 18-20 could possibly do to the fact that the New Testament tells us over and over again that we are saved by faith alone, by grace alone, by Christ alone.  If there is a question that I don’t see here, then verses 16 and 17, the immediate context should take care of any doubts.  If questions persist, then I would suggest that the person who is quoting Romans 1:18-20 would take some time and go through the first eight chapters of Romans.  If they are trying to vindicate some form of legalism, them by introducing the book of Romans they have just fatally shot themselves in the foot.

            Let Paul explain in the first eight chapters of Romans.  After a study of those chapters, it’s “turn out the lights, the party is over” for any idea that anything we do can earn us any part of salvation.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht