Q. I agree entirely with you about Romans not being a sort of generic exposition of Paul’s thought, or even an introduction to his main ideas (notice how almost nothing is said about the resurrection of Christ, and nothing at all about the Lord’s Supper as in 1 Cor. 11). But taking this discourse as being a word on target meant specifically for the Roman audience does not mean we should not compare various of the ideas in Romans to... Read more
Q. Let’s talk about the notion that Jewish Christians in Rome were part of and meeting with the synagogue community. Where exactly is the historical evidence for this notion, as opposed to their meeting in homes and in workshops, as you mention at one point? I can’t find it. I see the evidence that people like Prisca and Aquila or Paul went and bore witness in synagogues, but the idea of their meeting regularly with Jews in the synagogue I... Read more
Q. In a helpful summary towards the close of your book on p. 395 you say this “This identity, to include the people of Israel both prior to and after the Christ-event, must be a superordinate identity not under Christ but under the God of Israel. As each together [ i.e. Israel on the one hand and Gentile Christ followers on the other}, but differently, glorify the God of Israel, his glory will be more fully expressed…..” Now the problem... Read more
Q. One of the benefits I have found with getting students on board with SIT is that it helps them understand that late Western cultures are not like ancient cultures in that radical individualism even to the point of narcissism characterizes late Western culture as opposed to the emphasis on group identity being primary in antiquity. I remember my own surprise when I first started studying the Greek NT and came to the verse ‘work out your salvation with fear... Read more
Q. I’ve supervised two students now who applied Social Identity Theory to two very different portions of the New Testament very successfully. What do you see as the major benefit of applying this methodology to the letters of Paul? A. People thrive best in groups- we need others whether we admit it or not .The power of Christianity resides not in its stress upon individuality in our relation to God, but in Christ who enables vastly differing nations and individuals... Read more
Q. Your way of reading Romans is quite different especially from traditional Protestant readings. What was it that prompted you to take a ‘Paul Within Judaism ‘approach when it comes to Romans, or to put it another way, what led you to change your mind on the way you read Romans earlier in your career? A. Firstly, I think I would not term ‘Paul Within Judaism’ an approach in the same way as .e.g. a Social Identity Approach. It... Read more
FINALLY The presence of her absence Was noted by them all They waited to hear her familiar walk Or her southern drawl… The silence wasn’t deafening In fact, it spoke a lot, It meant they were remembering What they had forgot In deference they waited And hoped to hear a sound But not even a whisper Came from the burial mound Death can seem quite final With someone whom you love Your heart keeps on yearning... Read more
I am on record as saying I think the Shroud of Turin is likely authentic. This podcast is about whether the NT alludes to the Shroud in some telling way, and also whether there is good historical evidence in the NT that the shroud was already being used for evangelism in that era. I grant that John 20 certainly mentions the burial clothes of Jesus, both the head wrap and the body cloth. But from my view that’s all the... Read more
There are, without a doubt, dozens and dozens of great folk rock and country albums worth listening to and having in one’s collection, but the following, in my judgment, are essential. I could have listed more, but these will do for now. It’s my top 40 plus 1, and they are not listed in any particular order. CLASSIC FOLK AND COUNTRY ROCK ALBUMS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE CROSBY, STILLS, AND NASH CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG—DÉJÀ VU LOGGINS AND MESSINA—SITTIN... Read more
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