NT Epistle: Romans (Onsite)

Lecturer: Willis Salier, Ph.D.
bill.salier@moore.edu.au

Course Description:

The letter to the Romans is recognised as one of the high points of the New Testament as Paul outlines and defends the gospel preaches and encourages the Roman Christians to live a life characterised by the obedience of faith. The purpose of this course is to enable students to both access the content of the letter to the Romans and to grow in their skills of English New Testament exegesis. The course will focus on deep engagement with the English text of Romans and its key theological themes and practice so that the student will both understand the letter and be better equipped for the task of exegeting other New Testament letters.

Course Objectives:

1. The student will be able to outline and discuss the broad issues of introduction (authorship, historical background, structure, purpose) that lie behind the letter to the Romans.
2. The student will be able to outline and implement a sound exegetical method for approaching a New Testament letter.
3. The student will have a deep understanding of key theological themes from the letter to the Romans including the righteousness of God, justification by faith, union with Christ, Christian hope and eschatology, the place of the law in the Christian life, Christian anthropology, the sovereignty of God, and the Christian life lived in community and society.
4. The student will be able to articulate the way in which study of the letter to the Romans benefits their Christian life and ministry.

Course Texts:

Articles and chapters will be provided through Moodle.

Each student will be expected to read through a commentary on Romans through the course of the unit. The two recommended texts are

• 9781857927276 Barnett, P. (2003). Romans. Fearn: Christian Focus.
• 9780851111438 Stott, J.R.R. (1994). The Message of Romans. BST. Leicester: IVP.

Students can elect to read through another commentary of equivalent or higher level.

Course Requirements:

1. Reading and Participation.

Students learn through thoughtful interaction. This requires that students come prepared having read the assigned readings well. Students will demonstrate their reading and reflection on the topics through participation in class discussions and tutorials. Students are expected to read through the relevant section of a commentary on Romans each week and also to complete assigned pre–reading for the weekly class tutorials. Students are expected to follow the pre-reading schedule outlined below and complete the small amount of reading assigned during the intensive.

2. Exegetical Paper (2000 words). Due: Saturday, 19th July 2025, 11.59pm

Write an exegetical essay for one of the following passages:

• Romans 2:12-16
• Romans 5:12-21
• Romans 8:1-11
• Romans 12:9-21
• Romans 15:14-24

Your essay ought to follow the exegetical method outlined in the unit (summarised as follows):

1. Briefly set the essay in the context of your understanding of the purpose of the letter
2. Context & Genre (10–15% of essay): both historical and literary context
3. Structure of passage (10-15% of essay): the author’s flow of argument in the passage
4. Meaning of Details (50–60% of essay): Discussion of significant words and phrases. Not just what the text means but also considers the “how?” and “why?” This may also include discussion of relevant theological themes highlighted in your chosen passage
5. Summarise the main idea and significance of the passage in its original context and briefly comment on any relevant application for today (10-20%).

Your essay ought to highlight significant words, phrases, references to the Old Testament, and grammatical constructions where important.

Your essay should highlight any contribution to key literary or theological themes from the letter that are touched upon.

Your essay should summarise how the overall teaching of the passage relates to the letter’s purpose as you understand it.

Finally, you should comment on how the teaching of the chosen passage relates to situations and issues in contemporary Christianity and society.

The essay should be in good prose (not notes or bullet points) and referenced appropriately.

3. Personal Reflection (1500 words).  Due: Saturday, 2nd August 2025, 11.59pm

For this assignment you are to write a 1500 word reflection statement outlining how the study of Paul’s letter to the Romans has benefited you. This could be either personally or for your ministry, or both.

This could be reflection on a new insight from Romans, a reminder and reapplication of a familiar truth; or a reflection related to some of the course content and teaching that you found refreshing, challenging, confronting, or thought provoking.

The reflection ought to show clear engagement with the text of Romans and the course content. It could be quite general, or you may choose to dig deep into a particular passage or theme.

Your reflection should show a clear link between the text/material and your practice, either personal or ministry related.

Any materials that you have found helpful should be referenced and the reflection should be in good prose.

We will further discuss the format of the reflection during the unit.

4. Thematic Observations (2500 words).  Due: Saturday, 30th August 2025, 11.59pm

Students are to write on either ONE or TWO of the following topics using Romans as a resource:

I. Personal responsibility for Sin
II. The Place of the Old Testament Law in the Christian Life
III. Christian Perfectionism
IV. The Nature of Christian Freedom
V. Church Discipline
VI. The Place of Good Works in the Christian Life

Word Total:     6,000

Course Schedule:

Pre-Reading Schedule:

Longenecker, R. (2011), ‘Major Interpretive Approaches Prominent Today’, pp. 290-349,
Introducing Romans. Critical Issues in Paul’s Most Famous Letter. Grand Rapids. MI:
Eerdmans.
Moo, D.J. (2002), ‘Getting Orientated’, pp. 21-29, Encountering the Book of Romans. A
Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
Peterson, D.G. (2017), Introduction’, pp. 1-29 in Romans. Nashville, TN: B&H.

100-150 pages of chosen commentary on Romans

Thematic Overviews

• Justification by Faith in Romans
• Righteousness and Justification
• Sin and Judgement
• The Law in Romans
• Union with Christ Overview

NB: All readings can be found on the Course Moodle Site.

Select Bibliography:

Select  Commentaries:

• Jewett, Robert. (2007). Romans: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress.
• Kruse, Colin G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
• Moo, Douglas. (1996).The Epistle to the Romans. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
• Peterson, D.G. (2017). Romans. Biblical Theology for Proclamation. Nashville, TN: B&H.
• Schreiner, Thomas R. (1998). Romans. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament 6. Grand Rapids: Baker.
• Thielman, F. (2018). Romans. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

General Works:

• Ash, C. (2009). Teaching Romans. 2 Vols. London: Proclamation Trust.
• Ash, C. (2013). Introducing Romans. A Book for Today. London: Proclamation Trust.
• Bruce, F.F. (1977). Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit. Exeter: paternoster.
• Das, A. Andrew. (2007). Solving the Romans Debate. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007.
• Dunn, James D. G. (1998). The Theology of Paul the Apostle. New York: T&T Clark.
• Hawthorne, G.F., Martin, R.P. & D.G. Reid (eds). (1993). Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Leicester: IVP.
• Kirk, Daniel. (2008). Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
• Longenecker, Richard N. (2011). Introducing Romans: Critical Issues in Paul’s Most Famous Letter. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
• Oakes, Peter. (2009). Reading Romans in Pompeii: Paul’s Letter at Ground Level. London: SPCK.
• Schreiner, T.R. (1990). Interpreting the Pauline Epistles. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
• Schreiner, T.R. (2001). Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ. A Pauline Theology. Leicester: Apollos.
• Thiselton, Anthony C. (2016). Discovering Romans: Content, Interpretation, Reception. London: SPCK.