Rereading Romans from the Perspective of Paul's Gospel: A Literary and Theological Commentary

Paul did not write a systematic theology or specific church doctrines when he wrote Romans. His audience was Roman Christians and his last will was to preach the gospel to all especially gentiles in Spain. Through this letter Paul wants to pave the way for a visit to Rome and expects their support on his mission trip to Spain. The question is this: What kind of the gospel does he want to share with them? Traditionally the letter has been read from the perspective of forensic salvation that an individual justification occurs once and for all by faith in Christ. This view remains with the so-called New Perspective on Paul and Christs faithfulness has not been explored. Rereading the letter with a renewed concept of the good news in the letter this book challenges the traditional reading of Romans and explores Pauls threefold gospel that features the gospel that is God-centered Christ-exemplified and Christian-imitated. His main concern is how gentiles can become children of God as well as how Jews may live faithfully in Christ. In Romans the good news is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith. It is not a set of knowledge about God or Jesus. Paul is eager to share this gospel of faith with the Roman Christians and to correct some misunderstandings about him since his gospel is viewed as anti-Jewish or antinomian.