The Story of Romans by Katherine Grieb
Grieb superbly outlines Romans: showing that, for the Apostle Paul, the death, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ -- the gospel -- has fundamentally changed and affected all of Creation. Paul sets up the book of Romans as an apocalyptic narrative of God’s mercy and justice to all people.Grieb continues outlining the story of Paul’s letter to the Romans in chapter two through identifying Paul continued emphasis to show that God has done for the world what Israel could not do for the world: redeem humankind unto himself. Centering on Romans 5-8, Grieb is critical of a “textbook reading” of these central texts from Romans. Rather, she reframes them in light of ancient Jewish tradition and consciousness. Ultimately, Romans 5-8 is unpacked as God doing for the world what Israel could not do for the world by contrasting the obedience of Christ with the disobedience of Adam. Grieb notes that Paul links suffering as a mark of following Christ, and interprets that as an apocalyptic groaning for all things to “be set right” by God. Ultimately, the emphasis is on God’s love for humanity -- shown through the person and work of Christ.
Insight 1 [Paul: Homosexuality and Righteousness]
Grieb takes us a large portion of this chapter giving an exposition on Romans 1 and the topic of homosexuality. By using Paul’s own logic, Greib shows the reader that Romans 1:18-32 is an indictment of all humanity and a platform to show the endless grace of God at work in the world. Grieb does an excellent job of highlighting the difficulty of the issue of homosexuality from a conservative standpoint, yet does it with grace and tact; not lowering the difficulty of this issue. Ultimately, the question seems to come down to one of progressive revelation, rather than an issue of Paul’s authoritative “once and for all” handling of the issue. Romans 1 as an indictment for humanity leads us to the need for righteousness. The only way that any of us can become righteous is through having faith in Christ -- faith like Abraham’s faith.
In Chapter 3, Grieb elaborates on Paul’s emphasis on Abraham. What difference does it make for a Gentile who isn’t of “the seed” of Abraham? Grieb clarifies the difference: Jesus is the seed of Abraham, and our faith in Jesus causes us to be sons and daughters of God -- ie, the seed of Abraham. Grieb makes an excellent connection between Paul’s usage of Abraham’s faith in Romans 4:20 and Genesis 15 where Abraham’s “faith was counted as righteousness”. This is an important point for Gentiles, as our faith in Christ can “graft us in” to the original covenant between God and Abraham (and Israel).
Insight 2 [Israel’s Rejection of God]
Greib wrestles with the calling and salvation of Israel in this chapter. Her point is this: though Israel rejected God revealed through Jesus, God redeemed a remnant of Israel in Paul. Grieb also notes the irony of Gentiles receiving Christ, but the “chosen people” of Israel rejecting their Messiah (101). Grieb attributes this rejection as a “major complication” in the narrative that Paul is presenting, but I would push back and state that this is only a turn in a story that is opening up and gaining momentum, rather than coming to a halt due to a complication (112). Grieb notes that Paul wrestles with the idea that a remnant will be saved (112). It seems that, for Paul, God has called a remnant through Paul himself (11:1-6, 90).
Insight 3 [Paul on Christ’s Model for Welcome]
The Story of Romans by Katherine Grieb
Grieb notes that, for Paul, Jesus is the ultimate example of obedience to God through great sacrifice (131). As a result of being recipients of God’s hospitality, Paul wants the Roman church to open up their house churches and be hospitable to the Gentiles who were coming to faith in Christ (115). Paul masterfully deals with the divisions presenting themselves in the Roman church. Rather than focusing on various “ethnic divisions”, Paul addresses the “attitudes towards others” that are at the heart of their divisions (127). By dealing with their unwelcoming attitudes, Paul deals with a variety of issues that could spring up out of an unwelcoming heart. Paul gives the Roman church a practical way to love the Gentiles -- by partnering with his ministry in his upcoming ministry to the gentiles in Spain (133). The continued sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, for Paul, seems to be the central push of his ministry and his final appeal to the Roman church.