Is the Book of Romans doctrinally elementary?
Yes, it is elementary and foundational. The first of Paul's letters in the New Testament is doctrinally elementary, and Romans is specifically called elementary. Yet it remains essential, because Paul's writings are progressive, moving believers from elementary principles into the deeper concepts of the prison epistles.
Les teaches that Paul's writings are progressive. He explains that Romans is elementary, of course it is, and that the first of Paul's letters in the New Testament is doctrinally elementary. But believers are not to remain on the elementaries; they move on into the deeper things. As congregations grew, problems arose, and legalism was creeping in. Later, the prison epistles present deep concepts, including the heavenlies. So Romans is foundational, yet it is part of taking Scripture progressively.