Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion you should be able to:

• Explain socio-rhetorical criticism and its application to the Letter to the Romans

• Discuss oral texts and oral cultures as well as their implications for Romans

• Describe the background of Romans

• Identify the rhetoric and rhetorical strategy of Romans

• Outline the structure of Romans

• Summarize the key interpretive principles for interpreting Romans

• Indicate the main themes of Romans

• Recall the proper interpretations of key passages in Romans

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: Background to the Letter to the Romans

• Socio-Rhetorical Criticism and Social History

• Socio-Rhetorical Criticism and Oral Cultures

• Ancient Oral Texts

• Ancient Writing, Education, and Libraries

• Ancient Professional Readers

• Social Networks in Early Christianity

• Evangelism in a Patriarchal Culture

• The Evolution of the Roman World

• Jews and Christians in the Graeco-Roman World

• Work and Status in the Graeco-Roman World

• First-Century Family Values: Part 1

• First-Century Family Values: Part 2

Unit 2: The Structure, Rhetoric, and Interpretation of Romans

• Understanding the Rhetoric of Romans

• Paul’s Rhetorical Strategy

• Interpreting Romans

Unit 3: The Beginning of the Letter (Rom 1:1–17)

• The Epistolary Prescript

• The Exordium

• The Propositio

Unit 4: The First Argument (Rom 1:18–32)

• Truth for a Lie

• The Consequences

Unit 5: The Second Argument (Rom 2:1–24)

• The Hypocrisy of the Gentiles

• Jews, Gentiles, and the Mosaic Law

• The Hypocrisy of the Jewish Teachers

• Jews and Gentiles Alike

Unit 6: A Return to the Thesis Statement (Rom 3:21–31)

• The Faithfulness of Jesus Christ

• The Demonstration of God’s Righteousness

Unit 7: The Third Argument (Rom 4:1–25)

• Understanding Abraham’s Faith and Righteousness

• Righteousness apart from the Works of the Law

• The Promise Fulfilled in Christ

Unit 8: The Fourth Argument (Rom 5:1–11)

• Peace with God

• The Timing and Gift of Christ’s Death

Unit 9: The Fifth Argument (Rom 5:12–21)

• Similarities between the First and Last Adams

• Differences between the First and Last Adams

Unit 10: The Sixth Argument (Rom 6:1–7:25)

• Baptized into His Death

• New Creatures with Mortal Bodies

• Slaves of Righteousness

• Bondage: The Marriage Illustration

• Understanding Paul in Context

• Paul Speaks as Adam

• Identifying the “I”

Unit 11: The Seventh Argument (Rom 8:1–17)

• Paul’s Climactic Argument

• The Real Nature of Religion

Unit 12: The Eighth Argument (Rom 8:18–39)

• The Firstfruits and the Holy Spirit

• Working All Things Together for Good

• More than Conquerors

Unit 13: The Ninth Argument (Rom 9:1–11:36)

• The Fate of the Jews

• A Chosen People

• Vessels of Wrath and Vessels of Mercy

• The Fate and Future of the Gentiles

• The Basis for Salvation

• The Offer of Salvation to Israel

• The Resolution Concerning God’s First Chosen People

• An Olive Tree with New Branches

• All Israel Will Be Saved

Unit 14: The Tenth Argument (Rom 12:1–21)

• Belonging to God

• The One Body

• The Source of Paul’s Love Ethic

• Practicing Sacrificial Love

Unit 15: The Eleventh Argument (Rom 13:1–14)

• The Imperial Cult and the New Testament

• The Christian and the Government

• Christians as Good Citizens

• Money and Taxes

• Christian Citizenship and the Ten Commandments

Unit 16: The Twelfth Argument (Rom 14:1–15:13)

• Living within the Parameters of the Christian Conscience

• The Spectrum of Ethical Belief in Early Christianity

• Living unto the Lord

• The Need to Be Sensitive

• Christians and the Old Testament

• Paul’s Final Exhortation to the Gentile Christians

Unit 17: Peroratio and Travel Plans (Rom 15:14–33)

• Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles

• Paul’s Travel Plans

Unit 18: Recommendation and Reconciliation (Rom 16:1–27)

• Paul’s Individual Greetings: Part 1

• The Story of Junia: Part 1

• The Story of Junia: Part 2

• Paul’s Individual Greetings: Part 2

• A Final Emotional Exhortation

Conclusion

• Reviewing the Course

Details

• Title: NT332 A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Romans

• Instructor: Ben Witherington III

• Publisher: Lexham Press

• Publication Date: 2017

• Product Type: Logos Mobile Education

• Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources

• Courses: 1

• Video Hours: 10