Does God Work For Us or With Us? | Romans 8:28 | N.T. Wright Online

Summary

In this engaging video, N.T. Wright explores Romans 8:28, challenging traditional interpretations. He highlights a significant shift from the idea that God works for us to the understanding that God works with us. Wright delves into the Greek text, emphasizing the concept of synergism, where God's spirit collaborates with those who love Him for a greater purpose. This discussion extends into a Trinitarian theology of prayer, where creation's groans are met with the church's prayers powered by the Holy Spirit. Wright encourages believers to see themselves as active participants in God's work, shaping a new creation together.

Highlights

• N.T. Wright reinterprets Romans 8:28, highlighting synergism 🤔.
• Believers are partners in God's mission, not just passive recipients 👐.
• Prayer is an active part of collaborating with God for good in the world 🌟.
• Creation's groans meet the church's prayers through the Holy Spirit 🙌.
• Being called by God means participating in His work, not just belonging to Him 📣.

Key Takeaways

• God works with those who love Him, not just for them ❤️.
• The Greek text of Romans 8:28 suggests a collaboration between God and His people 🤝.
• Prayer is central to participating in God's work and creation's redemption 🙏.
• Believers are invited to share in God's mission, becoming part of a new creation 🌍.
• The spirit empowers believers in their prayer life, joining them with God's purpose 🌟.

Overview

N.T. Wright takes us on a journey through Romans 8:28, revealing a different angle to the common translation. Rather than God working all things together for good for those who love Him, Wright enlightens us with the idea that God works with us. This collaborative approach brings a fresh perspective to how we view our relationship with the Divine, especially in the context of prayer, suffering, and redemption.

As he unpacks the original Greek text, Wright introduces us to the concept of 'synergism'—where God and believers work hand in hand. This is a game-changer for many who might have grown up with traditional interpretations of passive faith. The lively exchange invites believers to become active participants in their spiritual journey, joining in the creation of a new world through prayer and action infused with the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, Wright emphasizes the role of prayer as a vital component of God's plan. It's not just about personal supplication but becoming an intercessor in the world's groaning. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to stand firm in dark times, armed with the assurance that their efforts and prayers are part of the larger divine narrative, moving towards a hopeful new creation.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Romans 8:28 The chapter introduces the idea of reading scripture in public, emphasizing that it's not just for personal edification but for celebrating the mighty acts of God and giving glory to God. The speaker suggests that they will be reflecting on Romans 8:28 and invites the audience to consider it together, setting a reflective and communal tone.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Understanding the Translation In this chapter titled 'Understanding the Translation,' the focus is on the differences in translation of a particular biblical verse. The discussion highlights how a well-known verse, which suggests that God works all things for good for those who love Him, is expressed differently in other translations. The purpose is to delve into understanding these variations and how they shape the comprehension of the message, particularly focusing on the implications of being 'called according to His purpose.' The chapter invites readers to reflect on these translation differences and the theological nuances they present.
• 01:00 - 02:00: The Greek Text and Paul's Message The chapter discusses the interpretation of a biblical passage, emphasizing that the original Greek text suggests a cooperative action between God and those who love Him. Contrary to the traditional understanding of God working independently for the good of His people, the text implies a partnership. Paul, according to the transcript, is presenting an idea of collaboration rather than one-sided divine intervention.
• 02:00 - 03:00: The Groaning of Creation and Prayer Paul discusses the interconnectedness of prayer and creation, emphasizing the groaning of both as they await the new creation and adoption. He uses the metaphor of labor pains to illustrate the world's longing for renewal.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Trinitarian Theology of Prayer The chapter explores the theme of Trinitarian Theology of Prayer, focusing on how God's Sons and Daughters anticipate the redemption of their bodies and the concept of resurrection. It delves into the 'groaning' described by Apostle Paul, where creation, the church, and the spirit all express longing and struggle. The significance of God's spirit is highlighted, emphasizing that it is given to people to aid in navigating the challenges, sufferings, and issues they face, with the spirit actively interceding within them.
• 03:30 - 04:30: Sharing in God's Work The chapter 'Sharing in God's Work' explores the concept that believers are invited to participate in the ongoing work of God in the world. It references Romans chapter 5 and the Shema, the great Hebrew prayer to love God, emphasizing that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. The chapter underscores the invitation for God's people to share in His divine work and purpose.
• 04:30 - 05:30: Western Theology and Synergism The chapter delves into the concept of 'Eastern Theology,' specifically the idea of synergism, which contrasts with Western theological traditions. The Western viewpoint has been skeptical of synergism—the belief that salvation is partly by God's grace and partly by individual effort—due to the principle of justification by faith alone. However, the discussion points towards a different perspective offered by Paul in his epistles, which speaks to those who have already embraced faith and love for God, in whose hearts the Holy Spirit is active.
• 05:30 - 06:30: Called to God's Work The chapter 'Called to God's Work' emphasizes the idea that God's work is carried out in the world through those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. It's not just about belonging to God, but being an active participant in His work. Paul discusses the concept of being conformed to the image of the Son, so that Jesus might be the firstborn among many siblings, highlighting the importance of transformation and community in this divine purpose.
• 06:30 - 07:00: The Image of God's Son This chapter discusses the pivotal role of God's Son in revealing God's true nature to the world. It emphasizes that God's Son is the instrument through whom God intends to accomplish His work, showcasing Himself as a righteous and loving Redeemer. Moreover, this chapter interprets a frequently misunderstood verse, highlighting the call for individuals to engage in prayer, especially spirit-led prayers, even when the content of prayer is unknown. The chapter underscores the concept of believers playing an essential role in God's New Creation through prayer.
• 07:00 - 08:00: Our Role as People of Prayer In the chapter titled 'Our Role as People of Prayer,' the focus is on the importance of being prepared to embrace and hold onto the love of God amidst the hardships and struggles of life. It presents the idea that through prayer, individuals participate in God’s larger plan and purpose. The chapter encourages patience, forbearance, and hope as essential qualities for those committed to prayer, suggesting that these efforts contribute significantly to God’s overarching goals.
• 08:00 - 09:00: Conclusion and Reflection The chapter titled 'Conclusion and Reflection' focuses on a spiritual theme, inviting individuals to be present in moments of darkness with faith, trusting that God's work can be done both through them and for them. It encourages personal reflection on how the passage connects with the reader, and invites community interaction through comments, likes, and subscriptions.

Does God Work For Us or With Us? | Romans 8:28 | N.T. Wright Online Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 throughout my life I've increasingly found that reading scripture in public isn't just about feeding our own spirits and Minds it's about rehearsing the mighty acts of God for God's glory so let's think together about Romans 8 28. and first let's have some tea [Music]
• 00:30 - 01:00 foreign we know in fact that God works all things together for good with those who love him who are called according to his purpose that may not be the translation that you knew it certainly isn't the translation that I learned when I was younger I learned as many of you will have done the idea that God works all things together for good for those who love him well I still want to say there is a
• 01:00 - 01:30 truth there God is Sovereign and those who are his people can trust that his will will be done but I don't think that's what Paul is talking about here because it isn't actually what the Greek text says the Greek text has a verb in the middle which is definitely about working with not for sun ergi ERG is the work bit soon means with God works all things for good with those who love him what is Paul talking about well in the
• 01:30 - 02:00 verses immediately before which in the usual reading feel a bit detached actually Paul is talking about the prayer life of the people of God particularly the prayer life at the heart of the darkness of the world Paul talks about the whole creation groaning together like a woman in labor pains longing for the new creation to be born and then he talks about us too groaning as we wait for our adoption as
• 02:00 - 02:30 God's Sons and Daughters the Redemption of our bodies we are longing for resurrection and therefore the heart of the groaning of creation we have the groaning of the church but then Paul says that actually the spirit groans within us as this is going on and we have here a trinitarian Theology of prayer that God gives his people his own spirit so that by their wrestling with the problems and pains and sufferings of the world in and through God's spirit
• 02:30 - 03:00 they may be part of God's ongoing work in the world and for the world so we know that God works all things together for good through and with those who love him and that idea of loving God which looks bad back to the great Hebrew prayer the Shema you shall love the Lord your God which Paul has alluded to in Romans chapter 5 already this is a picture of God inviting his people to share with him in
• 03:00 - 03:30 the work he is doing in the world we in the western theological Traditions have been worried about this idea because we are learned we have learned to distrust synergism working with ISM because any idea that I am saved partly by God imparted by my own efforts is anathema to those who have been properly taught justification by faith but Paul isn't talking about that here he's talking about people who have come to Faith who do love God in whose Hearts the holy spirit is working and Paul is
• 03:30 - 04:00 saying that's how God works in the world with and through those who love him who are called according to his purpose the purpose is not simply I've been called so that I can belong to God it's I've been called so that I can be part of God's work in the world and Paul goes on to talk about being conformed to the image of the son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters and the image of God's son is of
• 04:00 - 04:30 the one through who whom God does the work that he always intended to do in the world revealing himself as the righteous God and above all as the loving God as God the Redeemer as God who is accomplishing New Creation this then is the meaning of this astonishing and often misunderstood verse that we are called to play our part as people of Prayer of spirit given prayer of prayer even when we don't know what to pray for
• 04:30 - 05:00 people who are prepared to stand in the darkness and hold on to the love of God in the middle of the groaning of all creation so that God eventually may be all in all and we will look back and discover perhaps to our amazement that our work of prayer was somehow included in what God was doing in his wider purposes so may God give you patience forbearance and hope so that you may become people
• 05:00 - 05:30 of prayer people who will stand in the darkness in the presence of God and will allow God's work to be done through you as well as for you amen how is this passage speaking to you let us know in the comments like And subscribe or check out our other videos [Music]