Paul's Letter to the Romans and Roman Imperialism: An Ideological Analysis of the Exordium (Romans 1:1-17)

by Ian E Rock

Overview

Ian E. Rock demonstrates that the Letter to the Romans may be seen as an attempt by a subordinate group to redress actual and potential issues of confrontation with the Empire and to offer hope, even in the face of death. Paul demonstrates that it is God's peace and not Rome's peace that is important; that loyalty to the exalted Jesus as Lord and to the kingdom of God - not Jupiter and Rome - leads to salvation; that grace flows from Jesus as Christ and Lord and not from the benefactions of the Emperor. If the resurrection of Jesus - the crucified criminal of the Roman Empire - demonstrates God's power over the universe and death, the very instrument of Roman control, then the Christ-believer is encouraged to face suffering and death in the hope of salvation through this power. Paul's theology emerges from, and is inextricably bound to, the politics of his day, the Scriptures of his people, and to the critical fact that the God who is One and Lord of all is still in charge of the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780227176450
Publisher:	James Clarke & Co
Publication date:	05/25/2017
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

The Revd Dr Ian E. Rock is the Principal of Codrington College, the Seminary of the Anglican Church in the Province of the West Indies.

Table of Contents

Foreword by John W. D. Holder Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction 1 Ideology, Theology, and Rhetoric 2 The Historical Context and its Ideological Relevance 3 The Argument and Style of the Exordium and Propositio of Romans 1:1-17 4 The Ideological Implications of the Key Titles in the Epistolary Prescript (Rom 1:1-7): Jesus Christ and Son of God 5 The Ideological Implications of the Key Terms in the Epistolary Prescript (Rom 1:1-7): Peace and Grace 6 The Ideological Implications of Key Terms in the Propositio (Rom 1:16-17) 7 The Implications of the Epistolary Prescript for the Exegesis of Romans 1-5
6-8 8 The Implications of the Epistolary Prescript for the Exegesis of Romans 9-11: Israel and Rome 9 Conclusion Appendix: Table Showing Some Parallels between Romans and Wisdom of Solomon Bibliography Index of Ancient Documents Index of Authors