Description
An in-depth study of Romans from today's foremost interpreter of Paul.
Romans is often and for good reason considered a crux of Christian thought and theology, the greatest of Paul's letters. And within Romans, chapter 8 is one of the most spectacular pieces of early Christian writing.
But to many readers, Romans can be a deceptively difficult book. Its scope and basic meaning may be clear, but it can be hard to see how it all fits together into a cohesive, if complex, doctrinal argument.
N. T. Wright—widely regarded as the most influential commentator and interpreter of Paul—deftly unpacks this dense and sometimes elusive letter, detailing Paul's arguments and showing how it illuminates the Gospel from the promises to Abraham through the visions of Revelation. Wright takes a deep dive into Romans 8, showing how it illuminates so much else that God reveals in Scripture: God the Father, Christology, and the Spirit; Jesus' Messiahship, cross, resurrection, and ascension; salvation, redemption, and adoption; suffering and glory; holiness and hope.
Into the Heart of Romans will help you become familiar with the book of Romans in a deeper way that will also deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Gospel itself.
About the Author
N. T. Wright is the former bishop of Durham and senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He is one of the world's leading New Testament scholars and the award-winning author of many books, including?After You Believe, Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, Interpreting Paul, and The New Testament in Its World, as well as the Christian Origins and the Question of God series.
Table of Contents
Preface
- Romans 8 in Context
- Romans 8.1–4: No Condemnation
- Romans 8.5–11: The Spirit Gives Life
- Romans 8.12–17: Led by the Spirit
- Romans 8.17–21: The Liberation of Creation
- Romans 8.22–7: The Groaning of the Spirit
- Romans 8.28–30: Justified and Glorified
- Romans 8.31–4: If God Is for Us
- Romans 8.34–9: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
Appendix 1: Roman-Inaugurated Eschatology: The Return of the Golden Age (the Age of Saturn)
Appendix 2: Hebrew Eschatology: The Messianic Age and/or the Coming of God’s Glory 225
Praise for Into the Heart of Romans
“Romans is a mystery. Wright leads us on an exciting journey beyond the veil, into its inner sanctum.”
—Matthew W. Bates, professor of theology, Quincy University
“This is serious scholarship birthed out of a deep trust in Scripture and love for the church; Wright’s work has shaped generations, and my bet is that this volume will continue to do so.”
—Holly Beers, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Westmont College
“There’s so much to see on atonement, spirit versus flesh, adoption, love, and hope, and Tom does not disappoint with his amazing mix of explanatory insights and easy readability.”
—Michael F. Bird, deputy principal at Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
“The greatest biblical theologian of our day offers his mature reflections on arguably the greatest chapter that the apostle Paul ever wrote—what more could we possibly ask for? This book is characteristically brilliant, its vision for the Christian life thoroughly compelling.”
—Max Botner, associate professor of biblical studies, Jessup University
“N. T. Wright’s Into the Heart of Romans provides a commentary on Romans 8 that can function both as a hermeneutical primer and as an introduction to Paul’s theology.”
—John Anthony Dunne, associate professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary
“In his engaging, inimitable style, Tom Wright leads us into a profound encounter with one of the most profound chapters of Scripture…. A much-needed challenge.”
—Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical and Theological Studies, St. Mary’s Seminary & University
“Tom Wright models the Christian principle: ‘there's always more to learn from the Bible.’ Wright has written extensively on Romans, but now offers fresh insight by focusing on chapter 8, a central text bringing together key themes like new covenant, new creation, the love of God, and restored humanity.”
—Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
“In Into the Heart of Romans, Tom Wright provides a master class in close reading of Scripture. In his fine-grained exposition, Romans 8 becomes a lens through which we can more clearly perceive the larger biblical story.”
—Richard B. Hays, George Washington Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Duke University
“Vintage Tom Wright! Readers are enabled by Wright’s careful guidance to glimpse both a compelling bird’s-eye view of Romans 8 and to follow him in a deep dive that illumines the entire story.”
—Edith Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor Emerita of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
“This work is Paul’s greatest living interpreter on the greatest chapter of Paul’s greatest letter.”
—Chris Kugler, research associate, Keble College, Oxford
“N. T. Wright has long made it clear that Romans 8 is a text that is dear to his own heart and understanding of Paul…. This book is an exemplar of a pastorally and exegetically rich analysis of a dense but rewarding section of Paul’s most famous letter.”
—Esau McCaulley, associate professor of New Testament, Wheaton College
“This book offers not just a detailed map but a personal guide through the intricate pathways of Paul’s proclamation. I was led to gratitude for the clarity I gained, wonder at the brilliance of Paul, and praise for the grace of God in the victory of Jesus Christ.”
—Amy Peeler, Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College
“Within the field of Pauline scholarship, one would be hard-pressed to name an interpreter more insightful, biblically integrative, or significant than Tom Wright.”
—Nicholas Perrin, president, Trinity International University
“In Into the Heart of Romans, you have a premier Pauline interpreter probing and plumbing the depths of one of the most meaningful and memorable passages the apostle ever composed.”
—Todd D. Still, Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean & William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures, Baylor University, Truett Seminary
“Tom Wright’s new book Into the Heart of Romans is an exemplary display of scholarly rigor and Christian passion…. Both the scholar and lay reader will find this book hard to put down.”
—Preston Sprinkle, speaker, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author
“In this little book that focuses on perhaps Paul’s most moving and eloquent argument found in Romans 8, Tom is able to shed not merely fresh light but surprising light on this chapter…. This is must reading for all those who would know more about Paul’s vision of the human future.”
—Ben Witherington, III, Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
