Paul's letter to the church in Rome has inspired countless believers. In it Augustine finds the seed plot of his faith; it sparks a revolution in the heart of Martin Luther, ignites the mind of Jonathan Edwards, and strangely warms the heart of John Wesley. It is Paul's manifesto of the new kingdom, declaring our essential beliefs and establishing our agenda as Christ's disciples. In it Paul shows that the plan of God is more than a mere fire escape through which a few find safety from the flames of eternal punishment. This grand plan is nothing less than the Creator's intention to bring His creation back under divine dominion, to cleanse it of evil, to redeem, reclaim, and renovate the universe so that it once again fully reflects His glory. It is the gospel--good news to each individual, and the greater news of the return of God's righteousness to its rightful place in the world.

--Chuck Swindoll