This is a letter written by Paul, to the Romans. The purpose is probably to introduce himself to the Church in Rome as he has not yet visited Rome, but would, eventually, as a prisoner. Being a Roman citizen himself, he probably had a soft spot for this group of new believers. The main thrust of his writings is righteousness, why it is needed, how it is provided, and how to practice it. There is great emphsis on the fact that Christ has saved us while were yet sinners, so we are not required to first straighten out our lives before we can approach the Throne of Grace. There is details on grace over works, and what exactly being dead to sin, or freedom from sin means. There is great information here for anyone who wants to know how to come to Christ.
Impressions: One needs to concentrate a bit when reading Paul's writings. His style can be a bit aggravating as he uses run on sentences and takes rabbit trips within the thought he is presenting. So it takes concentration and study, but the rewards are worth it because we gain great insight into the depth and the riches of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because Paul was such a strong opponent of Christianity, and now as a missionary has such a depth of knowledge and understanding, one cannot help but believe that, as he says, God's Holy Spirit gave him utterance.
Readability: 3 1/2 stars (but the content is rich and deep)
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