Studying the New Testament

 From time to time there are specific queries from students about useful books to purchase to build up a good, rounded NT library. Here’s a selective nt-booklist.docwhich could have been much amplified. Enjoy. The asterisks mark those of particular importance.

Romans 14 and the Gospel of Vegetarianism?

Does Romans 14 Abolish Laws on Unclean Meats? Many believe Romans 14 says that Christians are free from all former restrictions regarding the meats they may eat. They cite as proof verse 14, in which Paul wrote, “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to [...]

ESLER on Paul and the Law

Philip Esler used social-identity theory to explain Galatians, and he now uses recategorization theory to account for Romans. They are sibling models, to be sure, but whereas the former focuses on relationships between groups, the latter does so within groups. So in the earlier letter, the Judean influencers must be degraded (in line with the [...]

Romans: The final round-up

The assignment will be a study of Paul and Law. It will have four sections: an interpretive section on Rom 3:21-31;A lesson plan for a 45 minute class on Rom 7:7-25; a sermon on Rom 11:25-32; and an exegetical  section on Rom 14.  Here is an article paul-and-the-law.doc that may suggest some ideas/ background reading and offer [...]

Romans 9: Arminius’ view

http://classicalarminianism.blogspot.com “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up [allowed you to remain -Ex. 9.16], to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.’ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and he hardens whom He desires” (Rom. 9.17-18. [...]

Romans 13: Should Christians be doormats?

  Here’s some notes on this week’s seminar should-christians-be-doormats.doc and the notes from the “Church and Israel” discussion on Romans 9-11 rom-9-11.doc. I’ve included the sermon on Romans 11 sermon-rom-1133-36.doc to give you an idea how yours might look. The two PowerPoint outlines are here romans-lecture-12.ppt and here romans-lecture-11.ppt and here is the PowerPoint lecture on  romans-13.ppt. We are [...]

Romans 8

romans-lecture-10.ppt   Here is the outline from this week’s seminar on Romans 8. Thanks for your input, guys. Just to confirm: next week I propose to select one or two class-members to preach at either/both Tuesday or Wednesday chapel. Be prepared!

Romans: The Results of Justification

This week’s lecture on romans-lecture-7.ppt still develops the theme of Justification from Romans 5. Please check that your Romans 3 assignments are posted on your weblogs ASAP. Looking forward to reading your reviews of Conflict and Identity. and forthcoming lesson plans on Romans 7.

Romans: JUSTIFICATION

I’m looking forward to our next few sessions with great anticpation. We are coming into the heartland of Paul’s gospel when we discuss justification. This one doctrine has literally changed the world. Here are the powerpoints of our next seminars. justification-lecture-6.ppt romans-lecture-6.ppt romans-lecture-5.ppt I hope that you have checked the Assignments and Schedules post. Your [...]

Abraham in Romans 4: The Father of All Who Believe

by Michael CranfordThis article was originally published in New Testament Studies 41 (1995): 71-88. In Romans 4 Paul turns to the scriptural figure of Abraham, a vivid personification of faith and obedience in Jewish thought. While the most obvious reason for Paul’s depiction of Abraham is to undermine any use of Abraham as a counterexample [...]