Romans chapter 16

vs 10

I'm sure these things would make much more sense if we knew who you guys were. But good on you!

vs 11

If they are not in the Lord, then don't greet them? Seems a bit exclusivist, Paul. I wonder how many doctrines have been based on that pen slip.

vs 12

Yes, that is three women who work so hard in the Lord in Rome that Paul wants them to be listed here for specific greeting.

vs 13

He also goes back in time (well, forward from AD50s) to teach Bill and Ted how to play guitar and save the world.

Seriously, the bit about his mum being a mum to Paul too is very sweet, and very familiar to anyone who's travelled and stayed with other Christians.

vs 14

So now, pretty much greet anyone who goes to church there.

vs 15

Perhaps these are Bible study small groups? Now there's an eisegetical reading if ever I've seen one!

vs 16

This is one of the five verses in the NT that commands this practice. And yet we don't do it! Why, oh literalistists (not a typo), why?

Perhaps because we convert the practice into something culturally acceptable? No, impossible! Kiss, and do it now!

vs 17

Like people who make fun of literalistists.

I think he's thinking here of those people who would teach things like judaising. I think there is a vast, vast wealth of such people in the church today. Which is scary.

vs 18

Of course, when I read that description it makes me wonder if it's not me - may it never be! I think what I want to point out here is that people who follow their own appetites are not always as easy to spot as someone who goes around having sex with everything between drug induced hazes. Some people actually want hard and fast rules and will therefore make them for their own comfort even when they are not biblical.

Non-biblical rules are actually ok, you know. Things like "no muddy feet on the carpet". But it's when you try and give them some sort of biblical strength that you are now a false teacher. Ok, so perhaps walking on someone's carpet with muddy feet is inconsiderate, and Christians should be considerate in love of other people. I'm sure there's a bible verse for such a concept. But attempting to moralise bare or muddy feet as some sort of legalist rule is totally stupid.