I posted on this verse a few days ago, as I am posting a whole series on Romans on the blog right now - http://mattdabbs.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/rethinking-romans-121-2-hear-again-in-context/

Way too often, we read these verses out of context and miss much of what Paul is trying to say. Part of the problem is that many people have really had a hard time getting a handle on Romans 11 (which is also about the mercy of God). Notice Paul starts Romans 12 with "therefore" and then talks about God's mercy. He is making direct reference to everything he was talking about in Romans 9-11 (that God would make good on his promises, specifically to the Jews). I won't retype my post again here. But the transformation he is talking about is something God does to us (notice "be transformed") as we offer him 100% of ourselves as a living sacrifice.

Hey Matt. Thank you for the reminder that the "therefore" in this verse demands attention to an antecedent. You're absolutely right about that, and I am certainly one who has not always taken that into account.

However....... that's not the point of the question here. What is under consideration is what I've called "the information complex." I ask again -- which of those elements, which have been discussed (or not so much discussed :) in previous questions on this blog, are addressed by this Romans passage? What is the significance of the fact that they are or are not discussed and to what extent? (Even if you see the Romans passage in its plenary context, as Matt has suggested.)

And what does this Romans passage say about the role of the information complex in decision making?

I love to hear such things discussed and am so looking forward to hearing from anyone who would address this!

Latayne C Scott
www.latayne.com
novelmatters.blogspot.com