Perspectives on Our Struggle with Sin: Three Views of Romans 7
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
“For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.” —Romans 7:15, HCSB
Perspectives on Our Struggle with Sin presents in point-counterpoint form three differing views of a Christian’s relationship with the law, flesh, and spirit as illustrated through Paul’s often-debated words in Romans 7.
Stephen J. Chester (North Park Theological Seminary) writes “The Retrospective View of Romans 7: Paul’s Past in Present Perspective,” suggesting the apostle’s description of his struggle speaks more to his pre-Christian self.
Grant R. Osborne (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) offers “The Flesh Without the Spirit: Romans 7 and Christian Experience,” perceiving Romans 7 as an accurate representation of what believers go through even after their conversion.
Mark A. Seifrid (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), in “The Voice of the Law, the Cry of Lament, and the Shout of Thanksgiving,” asserts that Paul is not speaking of his past or his present Christian experience in Romans 7, but more fundamentally and simply about “the human being confronted with the Law.”
Chad O. Brand (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) writes a conclusion on the theological and pastoral implications of Romans 7.
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- Discusses the exegetical issue of the interpretation of Romans 7
- Explores different views on the spiritual experience of a regenerate or unregenerate person, or both
- Examines questions around Paul's exchange from the third-person style he used earlier in Romans for the first-person
- The Flesh Without the Spirit: Romans 7 and Christian Experience - Grant R. Osborne
- The Retrospective View of Romans 7: Paul's Past in Present Perspective - Stephen J. Chester
- Romans 7: The Voice of the Law, the Cry of Lament, and the Shout of Thanksgiving - Mark A. Seifrid
- Conclusion: Theological and Pastoral Issues - Chad O. Brand
Top Highlights
“It is my belief that the more likely interpretation which flows out of the detailed study of the text above concerns Paul describing himself first as an unregenerate Jew (7–13) and then as a regenerate believer (14–25) in this passage.” (Page 46)
“Once more the issue is whether this can describe the Christian or must describe the non-Christian.” (Page 41)
“I will argue that this interpretation makes excellent exegetical sense” (Page 59)
“Two fundamental questions arise for the ardent reader and student of Romans 7. First, of whom is Paul speaking when he exchanges the third-person style he used earlier in Romans for the first-person ‘I’ used several times in this passage? As you might imagine, this question has led to even still more questions. For example, does Paul refer to himself autobiographically or as an example of what persons go through? Is he depicting everyone’s confrontation with the law or struggle with sin? Does he rhetorically describe the fall of Adam into sin? Is he using ‘I’ rhetorically to describe Israel’s struggle with sin and the law? Or, does Paul picture the battle between his spirit and flesh that he undergoes as a believer?” (Page 3)
“For Paul to speak of his preconversion state as wretched, even though he did not then experience it as such, reflects the typical behavior of converts. In Romans 7 Paul uses personal pronouns to speak of himself and his experiences but he does so retrospectively, describing his preconversion existence as he now knows it to have been and not as he understood it then.” (Page 76)
One difficult and disputed text, three fine scholars, and three views of the passage. How is one to read Romans 7? This book takes you through all the options and rationale with detail, charity, and clarity. This is how to have a discussion over a disputed text. Read and learn about Romans 7. Decide who is right and why. And, above all, learn about how to discuss a difficult text.
Darrell L. Bock, research professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
The meaning of Romans 7 continues to bedevil and puzzle readers. This volume does not simply rehearse arguments and positions from the past. The authors approach the text from fresh and illuminating perspectives, and hence this work represents a significant contribution to scholarship.
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Christians have long debated how Paul’s moving depiction of a struggle with sin in Romans 7 should influence our theology and practice of the Christian life. Now, in one book, Christians are given a wonderful opportunity to engage the different views, see how they differ, and come to their own conclusions. Chester, Osborne, and Seifrid clearly and capably defend their positions; and they do so with enough of a difference in method that the reader is given a good sense of the scope of the issues and their significance.
Douglas J. Moo, Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College
- Title: Perspectives on Our Struggle with Sin: Three Views of Romans 7
- Authors: Chad Owen Brand, Shephen Chester, Grant R. Osborne, Mark Seifrid, Terry L. Wilder
- Publisher: B&H
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 224
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Romans 7 › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Sin › Biblical teaching
- ISBNs: 9781430077510, 9781433674051, 9780805447910, 143367405, 0805447911, 143367405X, 1430077514
- Resource ID: LLS:9781433674051
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-16T00:39:58Z