Resources Related to the Romans (1-8) series
ROMANS The LETTER: STRUCTURE & CONTENT
Paul’s letter proclaims the gospel of Jesus as i) the only source of salvation, and therefore it is also ii) the only basis of assurance for, and unity among, the varied members of Rome’s churches (which consisted of Greek, non-Greek, and Jewish believers in the Lord Jesus). Paul warns against investing confidence in any so-called “alternative” source of unity or transformation.
BACKGROUND TO PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS
CLICK to download a PDF that outlines some of the background to Pau’s letter to the Roman Churches.
ROMANS 1-8 OVERVIEW
Download a PDF overview of Romans 1-8
CLICK on the image above to download a section-by-section summary of Romans 1-8. We’ll eventually add an overview for Romans 9-16 before we cover that later in the year.
A READ-MAP FOR ROMANS 1-3
CLICK to download PDF guide
DOWNLOAD the PDF A5 booklet that provides a read map to the closely argued chapters 1-3 in Romans.
OTHER RESOURCES:
LINKS & ARTICLES
Paul’s letter to the Roman’s looms large in both the conversion and ongoing discipleship of many believers. It provokes many questions for us concerning theological truths such as Justification and righteousness, what kind of moral transformation believers can expect, the relationship between Christians and God’s purposes for the Jewish nation, and how we should relate to others both within and beyond the Church community.
Below is a list of various resources that might help us grapple with the questions Paul’s letter raises.
A GLOSSARY FOR KEY TERMS IN PAUL’S LETTERS
CLICK the image below for a series of blog posts by Rev Dr Lionel Windsor that very helpfully explain the meaning of several key theological terms Paul uses in his letter to the Romans. You may wish to keep returning to these posts as a refresher. OR perhaps you could write a summary and pop it in the front of your bible.
CLICK the image for a Glossary of key theological terms that Paul uses in Romans.
CONTRARY TO NATURE?
SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTIVITY IN ROMANS 1:26-27
CLICK image to download the PDF paper
Romans 1:26-27 contains the apostle Paul’s most well-known critique of same-sex sexual practice, labeling it as “unnatural”.
How are we to understand Paul’s comments about same-sex sexual activity? What purpose lies behind Paul’s words?
Romans 1:26-27 forms part of a parallel critique Paul makes of BOTH pagan sexual practice (1:26-27) and Jewish sexual practice (2:22). Paul’s aim is to establish that the Jewish Law is ultimately impotent and powerless to effect moral transformation. This leaves both the Gentile and the Jew equally under the power of sin (Rom 3:9).
Preston Sprinkle’s book “DOES THE BIBLE SUPPORT SAME SEX MARRIAGE” explores some of the same details that I mention in the PDF above. One chapter specifically explores Romans 1:26-27.
CLICK IMAGE to purchase the book or audio book from Amazon
WHAT PLACE DOES/DOESN’T THE LAW HAVE?
CLICK image to download a PDF info page reflecting on the Law in Romans.
GOD’S WORK ISN’T
JUST A “SILVER LINING”
HIDDEN WITHIN THE CLOUD
OF OUR SUFFERINGS
(Romans 8)
FOLLOW THIS LINK to a really helpful article by Mikey Lynch warning about some of the pastoral missteps we can make when applying Romans 8:28-29 to one another’s sufferings.
RELATED TEACHING:
Below are curated some other teaching recordings (new and old) that might complement our series in Romans.
SUBMIT A QUESTION ON CHAPTERS 1-8 of ROMANS
Submit a Question for Romans 1-8. The ministry team may either write or record answers to questions, or point to more substantial resources that may be of help.
