Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology

Paul's letter to the Romans depicts Sin as one of the anti-God powers whose final defeat the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees. The framework of cosmic battle is essential for reading and interpreting this letter in the life of the church.

Because Paul could never address any problem without relating it to theology, Romans will never lack interpreters or debate. In this essay, the so-called “New Perspective on Paul,” which has sparked much recent discussion, is measured against the theology of Paul's central letter.

–Righteousness– is normally what one ought to do, and the –righteous– are those who do it. Paul sees the law of Moses as explicating “righteousness” required of all human beings and “justification by faith” as the extraordinary path to “righteousness” offered by God to the unrighteous of all nations.

If preachers are going to get a fresh view of Romans, they will have to allow Paul to get up off the psychoanalyst's couch. Romans is the expression not primarily of an anxiety-ridden soul but of a confident apostle who has wagered his whole life on the promises of God.