Romans: Worship in Hope of the Glory of God

by John Paul Heil

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2020

Overview

This book presents two new proposals regarding Paul’s Letter to the Romans. First, with regard to the structure of the letter, it demonstrates how each of the four main sections of the letter is comprised of a series of microchiastic units arranged in a macrochiastic pattern. The delineation of these structures facilitates the demonstration of the second new proposal, namely, that worship is a key theme of the letter. The theme of worship, both liturgical and ethical, streams through the letter from beginning to end. The letter’s theme of worship is closely associated with its themes of hope and glory. In and through the letter Paul calls on believers, made righteous with God from the faith that engenders an absolutely assured hope, to worship in hope of the glory of God, in hope of attaining the glory of the immortal God for which they were created, the glory of the divine life eternal of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for Romans

“In this book, John Paul Heil addresses a vital component within Romans, namely the theme of worship. Heil impressively brings out the chiastic patterns in Romans to show how worship serves as a central theme. Worship becomes the definitive marker of the Christian faith community in its hope in Christ, which results in the ultimate glorification of God. This work is an important contribution to the study of early Christian worship.”

—Tony Costa, Professor of Apologetics, Toronto Baptist Seminary



“Heil offers a theologically rich reading of the letter’s structure while also highlighting Paul’s message of ethical worship to the churches of Rome. This is a useful and welcome contribution to the study of Romans.”

—Timothy Milinovich, Associate Professor and Chair of Theology, Dominican University



“Heil’s brief but weighty commentary on Romans represents his crowning work. Applying once again his innovative chiastic approach to the interpretation of yet another work in the New Testament, he demonstrates how this magisterial letter focuses on the theme of worship in hope of God’s glory. Much has been written on this letter, but few works have paid as close attention as Heil’s to its linguistic arrangement and rhetorical purpose. Novices and veterans to Romans will equally benefit from this unique and insightful commentary.”

—Paul S. Jeon, New Testament Lecturer, Reformed Theological Seminary; Senior Pastor, NewCity Church



“Drawing on his distinctive approach to New Testament writings, Heil’s chiastic analysis draws attention to important verbal parallels throughout Paul’s Letter to the Romans. More importantly, the tracing of the theme of worship throughout the letter provides a new framework for understanding what Paul was seeking to accomplish in this letter. This volume sheds new light both on Romans and on Paul’s understanding of the good news about Jesus and its intended outcome of creating communities of worshipers.”

—Matthew E. Gordley, Dean, College of Learning and Innovation, Carlow University



“With admirable concision, Heil draws his reader into a thought-provoking proposal regarding the structure and theme of Romans. By focusing on both the micro- and macrostructure, Heil argues cogently that Paul linked together his most ambitious theological oeuvre through chiasm. Consistently trained on the text of Romans itself, Heil’s argument is a welcome addition for those intrigued by the organizing principle behind Paul’s masterwork and its outworking as a call to worship.”

—Nathan C. Johnson, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of Indianapolis

Product Details

• Title: Romans: Worship in Hope of the Glory of God
• Author: John Paul Heil
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781532698439, 9781532698415, 9781532698422, 1532698437, 1532698410, 1532698429
• Resource ID: LLS:9781532698439
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T13:27:36Z

About John Paul Heil

Professor of New Testament, Catholic University of America, School of Religious Studies.