Romans: An Introduction and Study Guide: Empire and ResistanceSze-kar Wan examines the social and political ramifications of Paul's last and longest letter. By taking seriously Paul's faithfulness to his ancestral tradition, Wan argues that Paul is engaged in ethnic construction by incorporating non-Jews into Ideal Israel. With its claim of universality and the cosmic Son of God installed as king, Ideal Israel stands in pointed opposition to the Roman Empire. Wan presents the Letter to the Romans as Paul's extended argument to his Gentile audience in defence of Ideal Israel and their place in it, without ignoring such prominent themes as good news, faith and belief, eschatology, and the collection for the poor. By also including a reading of Romans 13 as resistance against absolute authority, at variance with historical interpretations that defended American slavery and German Nazism, Wan gives readers a new perspective on a defiant message that can be marshalled to resist oppressive regimes. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Reading Romans | 25 |
3 Theological Themes in Romans | 59 |
Romans 1317 | 79 |
Proceed with Caution | 103 |
Works Cited | 107 |
Index | 114 |
Other editions - View all
Romans: An Introduction and Study Guide: Empire and Resistance Sze-kar Wan No preview available - 2021 |
Romans: An Introduction and Study Guide: Empire and Resistance Sze-kar Wan No preview available - 2021 |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham according Acts Adam answer apostle appears audience authority become begins believe biblical body called chapter character Christ Christians church circumcision claim collection commandments Community congregation construction context converts Corinthians covenant creation death discussion distinction divine election Empire enemies established ethnic existence fact faith flesh followers Gentiles given God’s grace Greek holy human Ideal Israel identity imperial Interpretation Introduction and Study Jesus Jewett Jewish Jews Judaism justice king language leaders letter living Lord means nature obedience officials opening original passage Paul Paul’s peace Physical political position practice present Press promises question raised reading reason refers regime resistance responsibility resurrection righteousness Romans 13 Rome rulers ruling salvation saved slave spirit statement status Study Guide submission superior theological things tradition true turns universal verb