The most common question I get about the not-so-subtle title of Reading Romans Backwards is Why? And, along with that question, I’m asked How can it be taught that way? Read on. First, since most who read Romans are swamped by the theological depth and debates about it, by the time they get to Romans 9 they may be exhausted and even more if they get to Romans 12. If we don’t read it first we may never get to it, and if we never get to it we will not be reading the letter
I was delighted when Scot's work came out, beginning the study of Paul's letter to the Romans with the actual church situations and issues at hand in the final chapters of Paul's letter. More than a decade ago in a series of conversations about that letter on our daily radio program Discover the Word, we were clear that the "theology" in chapters 1-12 was responding to the issues raised by the conduct of folks in the churches. So of course we began the study of the letter with Romans 13, 14, 15. Theology can easily remain abstract if it is not responding to real disagreements among followers of Jesus. Reading Romans Backwards is absolutely the best way to get a handle on the "why and wherefore" theology in chapters 1-12.
And chapter 16. I taught a class based on this book to about 40 people and we found so much in all the names there. With the perspective given by the last four chapters all the earlier ones made sense in a new way. In particular, the much discussed verses at the end of chapter one fell into place as part of the argument of chapter two. Thank you so much, Scot, for giving us this perspective. I have over 300 PowerPoint slides that I made for the class!
"I’ve read many studies of Romans who seem to think we can’t bring these Strong and Weak folks into the picture until they get mentioned in Romans 14-15. I can assure you of this: they were sitting there at 1:1 and responding from 1:1 on." -- So easy for us to forget this point, and so vital we remember it!
Wish I had known about Becky's resource before I taught it this way last year! I think the pastoral approach is so vital. We were able to look at it with Paul as pastor rather than theologian first, and it made a huge difference in the way the congregation was able to respond.
Our congregation preached through Romans "Backwords" using the book as foundation material and it turned out to be a very engaging sermon series. It inspired me to consider altering my "usual" Bible study pattern to include a consideration of giving more thought to the order of the author's thoughts and asking more "what if" questions.
Perfectly timed. We're hosting a churchwide retreat in a few weeks, and the "meat" for each session is Romans 12. I'll be leaning heavily on this book and the companion piece. Thank you.
I was delighted when Scot's work came out, beginning the study of Paul's letter to the Romans with the actual church situations and issues at hand in the final chapters of Paul's letter. More than a decade ago in a series of conversations about that letter on our daily radio program Discover the Word, we were clear that the "theology" in chapters 1-12 was responding to the issues raised by the conduct of folks in the churches. So of course we began the study of the letter with Romans 13, 14, 15. Theology can easily remain abstract if it is not responding to real disagreements among followers of Jesus. Reading Romans Backwards is absolutely the best way to get a handle on the "why and wherefore" theology in chapters 1-12.
Thank you Alice, and I'm not surprised you were there afore me!
And chapter 16. I taught a class based on this book to about 40 people and we found so much in all the names there. With the perspective given by the last four chapters all the earlier ones made sense in a new way. In particular, the much discussed verses at the end of chapter one fell into place as part of the argument of chapter two. Thank you so much, Scot, for giving us this perspective. I have over 300 PowerPoint slides that I made for the class!
A chp full of wonders, chp 16 is.
"I’ve read many studies of Romans who seem to think we can’t bring these Strong and Weak folks into the picture until they get mentioned in Romans 14-15. I can assure you of this: they were sitting there at 1:1 and responding from 1:1 on." -- So easy for us to forget this point, and so vital we remember it!
Wish I had known about Becky's resource before I taught it this way last year! I think the pastoral approach is so vital. We were able to look at it with Paul as pastor rather than theologian first, and it made a huge difference in the way the congregation was able to respond.
Her study guide is so so so good.
Our congregation preached through Romans "Backwords" using the book as foundation material and it turned out to be a very engaging sermon series. It inspired me to consider altering my "usual" Bible study pattern to include a consideration of giving more thought to the order of the author's thoughts and asking more "what if" questions.
Thank you Larry.
Perfectly timed. We're hosting a churchwide retreat in a few weeks, and the "meat" for each session is Romans 12. I'll be leaning heavily on this book and the companion piece. Thank you.