Sze-kar Wan examines the social and political ramifications of Paul's last and longest letter. By taking seriously Paul's faithfulness to his ancestral tradition, Wan argues that Paul is engaged in ethnic construction by incorporating non-Jews into Ideal Israel. With its claim of universality and the cosmic Son of God installed as king, Ideal Israel stands in pointed opposition to the Roman Empire. Wan presents the Letter to the Romans as Paul's extended argument to his Gentile audience in defence of Ideal Israel and their place in it, without ignoring such prominent themes as good news, faith and belief, eschatology, and the collection for the poor. By also including a reading of Romans 13 as resistance against absolute authority, at variance with historical interpretations that defended American slavery and German Nazism, Wan gives readers a new perspective on a defiant message that can be marshalled to resist oppressive regimes.

Introduces students to all the key themes and issues surrounding Paul's Letter to the Romans.

About the Author
Sze-kar Wan is professor of New Testament at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, USA.

Reviews
By refusing to segregate the theological from the social and political, Sze-kar Wan reads Romans right where it is planted: as an intervention among cell communities who undermines Roman domination by living out the justice of God. Along the way, Wan offers fresh perspectives on God's justice, the shape of faith, and other classic problems. Don't miss his interpretation of Romans 13:1-7. * Greg Carey, Lancaster Theological Seminary, USA *
The two-layered approach in interpreting Romans 13:1-7 is ingenious and judicious. A must read for all readers who are troubled by the issue of church and state. * Lo, Ping-cheung, Professor Emeritus, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong *



Book Information
ISBN 9780567675033
Author Professor Sze-kar Wan
Format Paperback
Page Count 136
Imprint T.& T.Clark Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 224g