Romans – BIBL 425

Course Description

An analytical and exegetical study of Romans, giving attention to the great doctrinal issues of condemnation, justification, sanctification, the place of Israel, and practical Christian living.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Why study the book of Romans? Romans may be described as the Apostle Paul’s magnum opus. It is a systematic presentation of the Gospel which reveals the righteousness of God. In addition to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul addresses other significant issues relating to first century A.D. Christianity, including the Jew-Gentile relationship, the Christian’s relationship to the Torah, unity in the church, the Christian life, and the Christian’s relationship to government (just to mention a few). The book of Romans provides eternal principles that must be applied to contemporary situations. In sum, because of its profound message, its logical presentation of Christian truth (which is foundational to a clear apprehension of the truth imparted in the other Pauline epistles), and its propensity to impact the saved so that their lives will influence the lost for Jesus Christ, it is essential that every Christian study Paul’s letter to the Romans. The primary purpose of this course is to trace the theme of God’s Gospel as presented in the Book of Romans, emphasizing the specific aspect of His revealed righteousness.

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

The student will complete five Discussions. For these Discussions, each thread will be submitted in response to the appropriate prompt. Each thread must be at least 300 words. Then, the student will reply to two classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions from both assigned textbook readings and with at least 1 other scholarly source cited in current Turabian format. No research, however, is necessary in the Final Reflections on Romans discussion. (CLO: A, C, D)

Bibliography and Thesis Assignments (2)

This course requires completion and submission of two significantly sized research papers. In each paper the student will analyze Paul’s teaching in a section of Romans. To help the student prepare for these papers, in the weeks before each paper the student will develop and submit a bibliography of research sources to be used for each of these papers. The student will also submit a thesis sentence for each paper for which the sources are being developed. (CLO: C, D)

Analysis of Romans Assignments (2)

Paul’s letter to the Romans is perhaps the most logical and systematic of his letters in terms of presenting a biblical theology. As a result, the letter requires detailed study. Careful study of Scripture in its context leads to much better results than simply looking for material taken out of context to support a preconceived doctrine. So, the good student of Romans will first analyze Scripture, but always with a view to learning the theological point. An effective way to learn Romans, then, is to select a section of Romans in which one conducts scholar-level research and analysis and then explain the flow of the development of Paul’s point in that section. For these assignments, the student will perform research and analysis regarding passages from Romans. The first assignment will be an analysis of Romans 1:18 - 4:25 and the second assignment will be an analysis of Romans 5:12 - 8:17. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Reflection on the Christian’s Relationship to the Mosaic Law Assignment

Paul’s letter to the Romans is perhaps the most logical and systematic of his letters in terms of presenting a biblical theology. One prominent theme in Romans is the meaning and place of the Mosaic Law for both Jewish and Gentile believers. The discussion of the law is important for understanding the teaching of Romans regarding both justification and sanctification. As a result, the Mosaic Law, as addressed in Romans, requires detailed study, and the student of Romans should be able to explain the Christian’s relationship to the law, given Paul’s statements that believers are not under the law, and given Paul’s explanation in Romans 7 and his position regarding the purpose of the law. For this assignment, the student will reflect on that issue. (CLO: B, C, D)