Forget the Channel

Tag: Romans

  • PhD thesis: approved and now available online (Paul and the Vocation of Israel)

    This dissertation argues that Paul’s apostolic mission to the Gentiles was the definitive expression of his divine vocation as an Israelite, and thus of his Jewish identity. For many of Paul’s Jewish contemporaries, Israel’s divine vocation was to keep and to teach the precepts of the Law of Moses as an exemplary witness to God’s…

  • Not My People: Gentiles as Exiles in Pauline Hermeneutics

    David Starling‘s recently published dissertation has received quite a favourable review. Here are some choice excerpts from the review, which made me cheer: [T]he situation of the Israel under judgment in Gal 2:15–4:11 corresponds to the existence of the godless Gentile sinners, and the corollary is that believing and justified Gentiles obtain the same position…

  • Identity and reality in the modern Australian and ancient Jewish diasporas

    Our family has been away from Australia for almost 3 years now. One of the funny things we’ve noticed about ourselves is how much our Australian identity is wrapped up in symbols and dreams that have little to do with reality. For example, this 1-minute ad for Tourism Australia–based on Les Murray’s poem, “The Dream…

  • The Doubting Believer

    A great post from Michael Jensen today about Abraham, Sarah, doubt and faith (I’m presuming it was originally a Moore College chapel sermon): The Doubting Believer I – Abram & Sarai An excerpt: The story of Abram illustrates for us that faith is not heroic. It might seem strange that the New Testament presents doubting…

  • God’s word, God’s people (Romans 11)

    Part of a series on Romans 9-11 Outline When God lets you down… God’s word is being preached (Rom 11:1-4) God’s word has not failed (Rom 11:5-10) God’s word will achieve greater things (Rom 11:11-15) God’s word cannot be taken for granted (Rom 11:16-24) God’s word will be fulfilled (Rom 11:25-32) God’s ways are greater…

  • Doing, Believing and Preaching (Romans 10)

    Part of a series on Romans 9-11 Outline The doorknocker The gospel that is preached (Rom 10:1-13) Israel’s problem (Rom 10:1-3, Rom 10:5) Christ is the end of the law (Rom 10:4, Rom 10:6-8) Believing and speaking (Rom 10:9-10) For everyone who calls (Rom 10:11-13) The preachers of the gospel (Rom 10:14-21) Paul’s success (Rom…

  • God’s plan, Israel’s failure (Romans 9)

    Part of a series on Romans 9-11 Outline Paul’s anguish (Rom 9:1-3) Israel’s privileges (Rom 9:4) Israel’s purpose (Rom 9:5) Israel’s existence constantly depends on God’s calling (Rom 9:6-13) Israel, an instrument in God’s hands (Rom 9:14-23) Israel’s existence constantly depends on God’s calling (Rom 9:24-29) Israel’s failure and God’s plan (Rom 9:30-33)

  • The olive tree is not about Gentiles joining Israel (Romans 11:17-24)

    A short while ago I wrote a post claiming that Paul doesn’t ever teach that the Gentiles are included in Israel. I said: Gentiles don’t need to be included in Israel. In fact, the opposite is true; we Gentiles are saved by faith in Christ without being included in Israel. That’s one of the apostle…

  • “Until” is not as significant as it’s made out to be (Romans 11:25)

    This is a follow-up to my previous post: What does “all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26) mean? Often those who argue for the “eschatological miracle” option in Romans 11:26 (i.e. a wholesale turning of the Jewish people to Christ when he returns) point to the decisive significance of the word “until” in Romans 11:25:…

  • What does “all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26) mean?

    One of the best articles I’ve read on what Paul meant when he said “all Israel will be saved” is by Christopher Zoccali, “‘And So All Israel will be Saved’: Competing Interpretations of Romans 11.26 in Pauline Scholarship.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 30, no. 3 (2008): 289-318. Zoccali argues, compellingly to…

  • Are the Gentiles included in Israel?

    Μὴ γένοιτο! No way! Gentiles don’t need to be included in Israel. In fact, the opposite is true; we Gentiles are saved by faith in Christ without being included in Israel. That’s one of the apostle Paul’s big points in Romans and Galatians. We are, of course, included in the promises given to Abraham (Rom…

  • Does baptism always involve getting wet?

    Of course not. Jesus, referring to his upcoming death, said: I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:50) There’s no evidence that Jesus got wet when he died. Paul said of the Israelites, For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers…

  • Re-reading Doug Campbell

    Here’s something I’d like to say: I’ve just picked up a copy of Douglas A. Campbell’s The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul (Grand Rapids / Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2009). Initially, I was a bit daunted. It’s a very big and scary book, running to 1218 pages. But I’ve just realised that…

  • Addiction and Romans 6

    In response to my sermon last night, I had a helpful comment that I thought it would be good to share. In my sermon, I said: When we talk about these things [i.e. alcohol, prostitutes, cravings to be beautiful, immoral fantasies, pornography, food binges], we often use the word ‘addiction’, don’t we? That word can…