For the sake of our discussion of Original Sin, commenter Brian has translated Romans 5 [UPDATE: it seems to be Romans 14-15] on our behalf. Thanks, Brian! (N.B., mean-spirited comments about his translation will be immediately deleted. Thoughtful, albeit critical, comments are welcome.)
Welcome those who are traditional in faith, those who still believe
in original sin, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.
Emergent Christians believe in deconstructing all theologies, while the
Traditional Christians only deconstruct certain theologies. Those who
deconstruct must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain
must not pass judgment on those who deconstruct; for God has welcomed
them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is
before their own God that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld,
for God is able to make them stand.Some judge one traditional doctrine to be better than emerging
theologies, while others judge a variety of theologies to be of
importance. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who
preserve traditional theology, observe it in honour God. Also those who
explore new theologies, explore in honour of God, since they give
thanks to God; while those who conserve tradition, conserve in honour of
God and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we
live, we live to God, and if we die, we die to God; so then, whether we
live or whether we die, we are God’s. For to this end Christ died and
lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you
despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord,
every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve
instead never to put a stumbling-block or hindrance in the way of
another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that no theology is
un-deconstructible in itself; but it is un-deconstructiblble for anyone who
thinks it’s un-deconstructible. If your brother or sister is being
injured by the theology you deconstruct, you are no longer walking in
love. Do not let the theology that you deconstruct cause the ruin of
one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
For the kingdom of God is not about certain theologies or particular
dogma but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one
who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let
us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification. Do not,
for the sake of theology, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed
deconstructible, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what
you deconstruct; it is good not to deconstruct theology or challenge
tradition or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. The
faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed
are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they
approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they deconstruct,
because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from
faith is sin.The Emergent Christians, who are progressive in faith, ought to put up
with the stagnation of the Traditional Christians, and not to please
ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of
building up the neighbour. For Christ did not please himself; but, as
it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’
For whatever was written in former days was written for our
instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the
scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and
encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in
accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice
glorify God.Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for
the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of
those of Traditional Christians on behalf of the truth of God in order
that they might confirm the promises given through tradition, and in
order that Emergent Christians might glorify God for his mercy.