
Explore the apostle Paul through Romans, uncovering the artistry of his language and links to Hebrew scriptures, and invite questions about traditional understanding.
Discover the exquisite artistry of the Apostle Paul’s language in Romans, anchored in Hebrew scripture and Greco-Roman context, as we explore Romans 1:1–2:1 and the setting of the gospel.
Paul rebukes Jews and Gentiles in Rome, using hyperbole and Habakkuk to explain two aspects of salvation: belonging to God by faith and walking in righteousness.
Paul rebukes jewish believers in Rome using a string of pearls, clarifying righteousness comes by faith, not law or circumcision, and gentiles are added to the family by faith.
Explore Romans chapter five to learn the two aspects of salvation—future deliverance by faith and daily deliverance through walking in righteousness—empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Explores the role of works in salvation, distinguishing first and second aspects; explains baptism symbolism, dying to sin, walking in newness of life, and being under grace.
Delve into Paul’s artistic contrast between sin, the law, and new life; learn to die to sin and walk in the spirit through love and faith in Jesus.
Explore Romans chapter eight and the life in Christ through the Holy Spirit, where believers walk in the Spirit and experience no condemnation.
Explore Romans 12:1–2, embracing a living and holy sacrifice through the Spirit, transforming by the renewing of the mind, and resisting worldly conformity to walk in righteousness.
Explore Romans 13's call to submit to governing authorities and the tension with evil, examining how to overcome evil by doing good and practicing non-vengeful response.
I suggest that much of what you know about Paul’s writings in the New Testament probably comes from traditional Christian theology. Now, I don’t dismiss all theological interpretations, but I have found that conducting my own exegesis in the original Greek text, combined with an understanding of the ancient Jewish culture, often leads to a different and deeper perspective that we find in our English translations.
I bring several considerations to this study. First, the authors of the New Testament were Jews (except for Luke, but he was a disciple of Paul). The New Testament had not yet been canonized, so the Holy Writings for the New Testament authors were the Hebrew Scriptures. Therefore, the composition of the New Testament is steeped with Hebraic thinking.
Second, the New Testament text was composed over 2,000 years ago in a part of the world where thoughts and traditions were (and still are) very different from our modern western world. We cannot understand the biblical text apart from its ancient Hebraic culture.
Finally, Paul was a Jewish scholar, not a simple fisherman from Galilee. Although his letters were sent to groups of believers, many of whom did not have his academic skills, nevertheless his writings are filled with sophisticated linguistic devices such as irony, contradiction, and paradox. Unfortunately, a literal understanding of these passages can lead to incorrect and often harmful interpretations.
In this study I use what I call “Ancient Hebraic Methods of Searching the Scriptures”, which I have re-created based on the Jewish culture at the time of Jesus and the response of the first Christians, many of whom were Jews. For example, the people did not have books like we do. Instead, they memorized their Holy Writings by listening. Furthermore, Paul’s letters were read to groups of believers who received them by listening. Therefore, if the recipients “heard” anything strange or startling, it would have led to provocative discussion. This teaching technique is also found in the Hebrew Scriptures.
This course will stimulate much thought and contemplation. The brief quizzes are designed not only to test your understanding but also to provoke introspection and discussion. I suggest you will be “stretched” by taking this course.
The optional workbook for this course for individual or group study, entitled "Walking the Land with the Apostle Paul" by Anne Kimball Davis, is available for purchase on Amazon.