Romans
A few weeks ago, in oxFam, I bought a copy of The Street Bible. I was quite pleased - it was a first edition (I think) of what is now called Word on the Street (by Rob Lacey). It’s a paraphrase of the bible, with an up-to-date feel (references to email, the world wide web, modern language, etc). I’m reading through Paul’s Letter to the Romans (or Romans / Paul to JLM Rome Branch).
I’m reminded of when I studied in Aberdeen. I attended Gilcomston South Church, where Willie Still preached. When I started going, on Sunday evenings, he was preaching through Romans. And when I left, he was still preaching through Romans on Sunday evenings. But, by then, instead of proceeding verse by verse, he was covering a whole chapter in each sermon. In fact, I remember being devastated to be missing a Sunday evening service, an emotion which possibly contributed to my being locked up in a psychiatric hospital soon after.
This isn’t a happy memory. As I read through Rob Lacey’s version of Paul’s Letter to the Romans, I’m dealing with a profoundly negative experience. I want to believe; I want to be uplifted. But it’s hard …
