They say never to discuss politics or religion. Maybe that is why when it came to setting up the US Constitution they wanted to separate church and state. John Locke is credited as being the first one to coin this phrase “the separation of church and state” in 1802. Prior to this in Medieval Europe there was the notion of the divine right of kings. The king, the political ruler could make pronouncements on matters of religion because he was king, the ruler. Whether he knew anything about it or not didn’t matter. When it came to setting up the US system they wisely decided to separate these two biggies. Maybe they had learned the lesson to never discuss politics and religion. Of course that is not true I am playing with words. Why?
Because Paul used the whole of Chapter 14 to discuss an issue so small and petty. Why does he do that? What has prompted him to do it? Why is Romans 14 even in the Bible? After discussing meaty topics and matters of eternal significance Paul suddenly spends one whole chapter on disputes over food and drink and special days. Why would Paul want to spend some much time on matters of food and petty issues when there are so many more important matters to talk about? And what prompted this stuff anyway? It is not as though it relates to anything that went before it. Come on Paul, take stock and assess the things that are important and those that are not.
Why would Paul spend so much time on something so trivial? You take time to think about it. Oh come on Ian. You are doing the same as Paul you are spinning this out. Just deal with Romans Chapter 14 in one Gem and be done with it.
Like I have already said – take time to think about it. You decide why it is there? Why Paul takes so long to deal with something so petty and what is the connection between Romans 14 and what has gone before it?
Minds are like parachutes – they function only when open.
Anon
Those who yell their beliefs are trying to convince themselves. Sarcasm often reveals a weak position, guilt, or insecurity.
Rick Warren
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Abraham Lincoln