I have added the paper that I presented at last weekend’s ETS Northwest Regional Meeting to the downloaded essays/papers page (see here). It is titled “The Eschatological Voice of Romans 8.1-25” in which I argue that in this passage we should recognize the thesis that “the resurrected children of God will reign and rule with Christ over the new creation in the age to come being and doing for the created order what Adam and Eve failed to be and do.” It is a marco-exegetical survey of the Adam-Christ juxtaposition in this epistle with emphasis on how this motif should shape our reading of 8.1-25, especially vv. 18-23.
Your feedback is more than welcome. You can comment on the “Essays/Papers” page if you’d like to do so.
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Interesting point towards the end regarding those whom God chooses. Are you saying that Paul isn’t making a point so much about individual / personal election and therefore the reverse being damnation; rather he is saying: “so what if I have chosen the Gentiles to also be included in salvation… “
The title sounds pretty much like where I stand now. Interestingly enough, I am studying the same passage (only vv18-25) for one of my papers this semester. I may have to add yours to the bibliography!
@Craig: What page is that on?
@Jason: I hope you find it useful. It is macro-exegetical to a fault, but I couldn’t find any other way to really, really make my point about this passage without showing how it fits into the flow of the epistle.
Brian: I understand your plight. I find it a challenge oftentimes to fully exegete any passage within the given time and space constraints! It’s no wonder how some commentators can go on as long as they do on particular points in a passage.
Brian, Interesting! It seems however that eschatological language always rises above time and space, though affirming it.. but with God’s own transcendence, and even somehow His imminence. For God is present in His creation always! This is the Judeo truth and idea also.
Note, I am too historic pre-mill.
@Jason: It did give me a glimpse into why commentary writers can write books thirty times as long as the biblical book upon which they are commenting!
@Fr. Robert: Yes, it does, but I would say it doesn’t leave behind time nor space.
Brian: And why it takes them years to finish one!
Thanks, looking forward to reading it. 😉
@Jason: No kidding.
@T.C. You’re welcome!
@Brian. Towards the top of page 15 or there about’s. The page numbers are not showing.
God’s people are those God calls. God has mercy on those whom he will have mercy (9.16).
Therefore, if God wants his people to be from both Jew and Gentile, this is how it will be (9.24-25).
Brian,
Nor would I, but I don’t see a hardline chronology in Eschatology either. Perhaps some and even much of it is outside time?
@Craig: Ah, yes. I wasn’t really addressing that question in the paper, but as my language shows I see chapter 9 as dealing more with Israel and the nature of remnant than individuals.
Brian,
Romans 9 has both individual and corporate truth. (9:10-12.. and as we note with God’s negative call and use of Pharaoh (16-17-18).
To avoid repeating myself this is what I wrote on Rom. 9 a short while ago: https://nearemmaus.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/there-is-a-context-to-romans-9-1-29/
I agree it has implications for individuals, but I don’t think it is primarily about individuals. It is primarily about Israel.
@Thanks for that Brian. I realise it wasn’t the primary scope of your paper and so sorry for taking this thread on a tangent… I have a practice of quickly reading and then going back for a 2nd read… and that point came to me while doing the first reading.
@Craig: No worries, I don’t mind the question.
Brian,
I would agree somewhat, but “Israel” is also many things. My point was that God does call some for His purpose, both in grace and in judgment (Rom.9:21,22-23, etc.). Note here too the Gentiles. *Those God judges are left in their sinfulness, and choice.
Brian,
As I have noted before everyone who looks deeply at the biblical doctrine of election, should read H.H. Rowley’s fine book: The Biblical Doctrine of Election. These were: The Lousia Curtis Lectures given at Spurgeon’s College, September 1948. My copy is a first edition (hardback) 1950, Lutterworth Press, London. One can get it used in paper however, from like ABE Books, etc.