Baptists/The Roman's Road

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Expert: - 11/29/2008


Question
Dear Mr. Shultz,

I see that many churches and nearly all Gospel tracts use the Roman's Road to explain salvation to the lost (at least they all use the final passage of the Roman's road [Romans 10:9-13] to tell a person HOW to be saved).  I am trying to find out where the "Roman's Road" came from, who developed it as a witnessing tool.  I need to know who put this specific series of verses together to explain salvation.

Could you please tell me where it came from?

Thank you,

Sarah Lyman

Answer
Sarah, I am afraid that is one of those things that might be lost to history.  I was watching the History channel last night and several people claim to be the inventor of the hamburger and there are several theories of where Cut and Shoot, Texas got its name.  

There are a lot of things that people use and quote where the author is unknown or chose not to let it be known who he/she was.  The Road was used to win my wife and I to Christ back in 1975 so it has been around quite awhile.  

Jack Hyles people use it regularly and some may think he created it and yet I believe was used by Dr D. James Kennedy in his book Evangelism Explosion.  Both of their fans would say that their guy was the compiler.  Several others may also lay claim to it.  It could have been Billy Sunday, D. L. Moody or even Charles Finney.  I looked up a few places and they all tell you what the Romans Road is but not who was the orginator.

The key thing to be concerned about is whether it is biblical or not.  If so, then it dosn't matter who first laid it out.  In fact, whoever put it together in recent times may have only rediscovered it from somebody who used it in the 1st, 3rd or 16th century.  Many new ideas are really only old ones "rediscovered". There is nothing new under the sun, after all.  Indeed, many of the Anabaptists may have used it or a similar progression of Scripture to lead someone to Christ.  

Sorry, that I could not have been more helpful.  Blessings to you!



PS,

I have contacted a few other folks including a seminary and no one seems to know for sure who the first person was that outlined it. It has been around a long time and the writer may not have taken credit as it is really not an original treatise but rather an outline of Scripture.  He may have been modest and did not want acclaim for it.

I am curious as are some of them, why is the author so important?  Is this a school project or just something that interested you? Thanks.

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Dr. Ronald E. Shultz

Expertise

I am more of a polemicist than an apologist. I especially desire to answer questions concerning discipleship/holiness, "gray areas", etc. If all you wish is an argument then I am not your man. Sincere seekers only need e-mail me.

Experience

I have ministered in several states since my conversion in 1975. I participate in many forums and have written two books.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors since 2009
Texas Civil Defense since 2008
American Legion since 2002
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, since 1994
Life Member NCOA, 1973
Dover AFB Honor Guard, 1971-73

Publications
Poem, "Cowboy Up" published in an anthology by American Poets Society, 2004
Author, Jail House Religion, Xulon Press, 2004
Author, The Power of Holy Women, Xulon Press, 2003
Messianic Literary Corner published 45 poems, 2003+
Tract “Which Way To God” published on http://www.tracts.com/whichway.html, 1998
Several poems published on various web pages, 1997,1998,1999
Author, Metamorphosis, copyrighted, partially published collection of poetry, 1968-94
Article, “Why I Prefer Expository Preaching”, published in Canyonview Bible Seminary's Expositor, 1988

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Theology, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA, 2001, Summa Cum Laude
Master of Theology, Christian Bible College, Rocky Mount, NC, 2000, Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Religious Education , Administration minor, Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982, Cum Laude
Evangelical Teacher Training Association, Teachers Diploma, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982
Other study: Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL - 1975-78
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA - 1976-77
Interim Ministry For Today's Churches - 2000


Awards and Honors
Heritage Registry of Who's Who, 2006-2007
Editor's Choice Award, International Library of Poetry, 2003
America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals 2001-2002
Stratmore Who's Who, 2001-2002
Guest Speaker Texas A&M, Commerce, 1999
Gubernatorial Commendation by Texas Veterans Commission, 1999
Dallas VA Certificate of Pride in Public Service, 1999
Guest on the Kevin Bullard radio program KPBC AM 770,1997
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1996
Editor's Choice Award, National Library of Poetry, 1995
Who's Who in Poetry, 1992
United States Army Achievement Medal, 1990
Personal testimony dramatized for international radio program Unshackled, 1986
Outstanding Young Men of the South, 1981
United States Air Force Commendation Medal, 1978
Two USAF suggestion awards, 1976
NCO of the Quarter, 1975
Freedom Foundation Award, 1975

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