Pauline Interpretation of Pauline Interpretation of Christianity:Christianity:

ROMANSROMANS

Tuesday, April 12, 2011Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Today’s ScheduleToday’s Schedule

Lecture: Love and Endebtedness Lecture: Love and Endebtedness

JULIE CARLI Respondent: JULIE CARLI Respondent: Murielle WymanMurielle Wyman   MADELEINE ST. MARIE Respondent: MADELEINE ST. MARIE Respondent: Jason Jason

JonesJones

NEXT WEEK CH. 14-15 NEXT WEEK CH. 14-15

AMY LENTZ (ch. 14) AMY LENTZ (ch. 14) Respondent: Respondent: Steve StaggsSteve Staggs

IRIS ANKROM (ch. 15) IRIS ANKROM (ch. 15) Respondent: Respondent: Julianne SnapeJulianne Snape   

Part # 3Part # 3 Choosing one of the two Choosing one of the two Interpretations: The Better TeachingInterpretations: The Better Teaching

Which is the best in the life-context Which is the best in the life-context discussed in Part # 1 of the two discussed in Part # 1 of the two interpretations presented in Part # 2?interpretations presented in Part # 2?

• Part # 2 = shows that the two interpretations are Part # 2 = shows that the two interpretations are • ““legitimate” (each is supported by a scholar) and legitimate” (each is supported by a scholar) and • ““plausible” (their presentations and understandings plausible” (their presentations and understandings

of the themes make sense)of the themes make sense)• So we have a So we have a choicechoice• Indeed, each presupposes a contextual choice: Indeed, each presupposes a contextual choice:

problem, root-problem & thus role of scriptureproblem, root-problem & thus role of scripture

Romans 13Romans 13Exercise: F/T? NC/P? A/M?Exercise: F/T? NC/P? A/M?

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. that exist have been instituted by God. 22 Therefore whoever Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. who resist will incur judgment. 33 For rulers are not a terror to For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; approval; 44 for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. on the wrongdoer. 55 Therefore one must be subject, not only Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. because of wrath but also because of conscience.

Romans 13Romans 13Exercise: F/T? NC/P? A/M?Exercise: F/T? NC/P? A/M?

66 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing. are God's servants, busy with this very thing. 77 Pay to all what Pay to all what is due them-- taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom is due them-- taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. honor is due. 88 Owe no one anything, except to love one Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 99 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." neighbor as yourself." 1010 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. 1111 Besides this, you Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; became believers;

Choosing an interpretation consistent Choosing an interpretation consistent with Loving Neighbors and Loving Godwith Loving Neighbors and Loving God

loving neighborsloving neighbors: : Positively:Positively: What needs of our neighbors does it effectively and What needs of our neighbors does it effectively and

successfully address or fail to address in the specific context you successfully address or fail to address in the specific context you re considering? re considering?

Negatively:Negatively: What problematic effects does it have (or could What problematic effects does it have (or could potentially have) in a specific context for our neighbors? potentially have) in a specific context for our neighbors?

Positively:Positively: Who benefits from this interpretation? Who benefits from this interpretation? Negatively:Negatively: Who is hurt (or neglected) by this interpretation? Who is hurt (or neglected) by this interpretation?

loving God:loving God: Each of the two interpretations posits Each of the two interpretations posits a different role of this text as Scripture for Christian believersa different role of this text as Scripture for Christian believers

(with whom you identify yourself or whom you imagine [and with (with whom you identify yourself or whom you imagine [and with whom you might disagree, especially, regarding the whom you might disagree, especially, regarding the interpretation that you reject]): interpretation that you reject]):

A different role of Christian convictions and values in your choice A different role of Christian convictions and values in your choice of one interpretation as better than the other for this context? of one interpretation as better than the other for this context?

Loving: ForensicLoving: ForensicAutonomous CenteredAutonomous Centered

Love = being ready Love = being ready to giveto give and giving to others what and giving to others what they lack (they lack (compassion; charitycompassion; charity), even if it means ), even if it means depriving oneself of what we give (depriving oneself of what we give (selfself-sacrifice-sacrifice) )

AgapeAgape vs. vs. ErosEros (Anders Nygren) (Anders Nygren) Agape = Agape = self-self-giving giving and unmotivated divine love and unmotivated divine love

revealed in Jesus Christ … which we should imitaterevealed in Jesus Christ … which we should imitate Romans 12:1 Romans 12:1 I appeal to you [exhort you], by the mercies of I appeal to you [exhort you], by the mercies of

God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, = God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, = self-self-sacrificesacrifice 13:8 owing = indebted TO GOD to love others 13:8 owing = indebted TO GOD to love others

Philippians 2:5-8 Philippians 2:5-8 Let the same mind be in you that was in Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God… , 7 Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God… , 7

emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, 8 he humbled emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, 8 he humbled himself to the point of death– himself to the point of death–

Vs. Eros as Vs. Eros as self-self-serving loveserving love, consuming the loved , consuming the loved one: I love ice-cream; a candy one: I love ice-cream; a candy

Loving: New Covenant/PastoralLoving: New Covenant/PastoralRelational CenteredRelational Centered

Love = Love = reciprocal reciprocal giving and receivinggiving and receiving; ; reciprocal relationship in the people of God, in the body of reciprocal relationship in the people of God, in the body of

Christ with members with different gifts = Loving Christ with members with different gifts = Loving relationship = indebtedness TO GOD to love othersrelationship = indebtedness TO GOD to love others

Inclusion of Gentiles Inclusion of Gentiles together withtogether with Jews in God’s plan Jews in God’s plan Rom 12:3-6 [Do] not think of yourself more highly than you Rom 12:3-6 [Do] not think of yourself more highly than you

ought to think, … 4 For as in one body we have many ought to think, … 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: according to the grace given to us:

12:9-10 Let love be genuine; … 10 love one another with 12:9-10 Let love be genuine; … 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 1:11-12 For I am longing to see you so that I may Romans 1:11-12 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- 1212 or or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. faith, both yours and mine.

Loving: Apocalyptic/MessianicLoving: Apocalyptic/MessianicHeteronomous CenteredHeteronomous Centered

Love = Love = recognizing others as better than ourselves,recognizing others as better than ourselves, being being indebtedindebted to them, recognizing them as Christ for to them, recognizing them as Christ for us us and then and then responding to them as indebted to the other responding to them as indebted to the other (=being in love; LOVE BEGINS BY FALLING IN LOVE!) (=being in love; LOVE BEGINS BY FALLING IN LOVE!)

Romans 13:8-10 Romans 13:8-10 Owe Owe ovfei,leteovfei,lete no one anything, except to no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; … law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; … and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Galatians 5:14 Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is summed up in a single For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

• Note: not in a twofold commandment about love of God and love of Note: not in a twofold commandment about love of God and love of neighborneighbor

Loving: Apocalyptic/MessianicLoving: Apocalyptic/Messianic Love = recognizing others as better than Love = recognizing others as better than

ourselves, being ourselves, being indebted to themindebted to them, recognizing , recognizing them as Christ for us them as Christ for us and then and then responding to responding to them as indebted to the other (=being in love) them as indebted to the other (=being in love) Philippians 2:4-7 Philippians 2:4-7 Let each of you look not to your Let each of you look not to your

own gifts, but to the gifts of others. 5 Have the same own gifts, but to the gifts of others. 5 Have the same attitude among you as you have toward Christ Jesus, attitude among you as you have toward Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. slave, being born in human likeness.

=, =, Recognize Christ-like people among those who Recognize Christ-like people among those who are humble, oppressed, rejectedare humble, oppressed, rejected

Choosing an interpretation consistent Choosing an interpretation consistent with Loving Neighbors and Loving Godwith Loving Neighbors and Loving God

loving neighborsloving neighbors: : Positively:Positively: What needs of our neighbors does it What needs of our neighbors does it

effectively and successfully address or fail to address effectively and successfully address or fail to address in the specific context you re considering? in the specific context you re considering?

Negatively:Negatively: What problematic effects does it have What problematic effects does it have (or could potentially have) in a specific context for our (or could potentially have) in a specific context for our neighbors? The disaster of a WRONG DIAGNOSIS neighbors? The disaster of a WRONG DIAGNOSIS and thus not actually addressing the problemand thus not actually addressing the problem

Positively:Positively: Who benefits from this interpretation? Who benefits from this interpretation? Negatively:Negatively: Who is hurt (or neglected) by this Who is hurt (or neglected) by this

interpretation? interpretation?

Love = giving to others Love = giving to others as potentially problematicas potentially problematic

Love = giving to others Love = giving to others what they lackwhat they lack (compassion; (compassion; charity), (Forensic)charity), (Forensic)

even if it means depriving oneself of what we give (self-sacrifice) even if it means depriving oneself of what we give (self-sacrifice) --- problematic teaching for people who are oppressed. --- problematic teaching for people who are oppressed. Feminist critiqueFeminist critique..

problematic effect on those who are helped: being viewed as problematic effect on those who are helped: being viewed as inferior, as subaltern, as “have-not” by contrast with the “have-inferior, as subaltern, as “have-not” by contrast with the “have-givers” givers”

= the powerful further brings down the “needy”= the powerful further brings down the “needy” Often, the giver decides what the have-not truly needs. Often, the giver decides what the have-not truly needs.

Danger: Giver/loving one = Danger: Giver/loving one = posits him/herself as posits him/herself as superiorsuperior

As loving God = acknowledging God as superior who gives God-As loving God = acknowledging God as superior who gives God-self for us as sinners = people who have a problem, a lack.self for us as sinners = people who have a problem, a lack.

Loving: New Covenant/PastoralLoving: New Covenant/PastoralBenefits and DangersBenefits and Dangers

Love = Love = reciprocal giving and receivingreciprocal giving and receiving; ; reciprocal relationship in the people of God, in reciprocal relationship in the people of God, in

the body of Christ with members with different the body of Christ with members with different gifts = Loving relationshipgifts = Loving relationship the inclusion of Gentiles the inclusion of Gentiles together withtogether with the Jews in the Jews in

God’s plan God’s plan The gifts I have are The gifts I have are for othersfor others (not for me) (not for me) Danger:Danger: denying the mutuality; not denying the mutuality; not

recognizing that I need the gifts that others recognizing that I need the gifts that others have receivedhave received and that I do not have = and that I do not have = affirmation of others and their gifts … affirmation of others and their gifts …

Loving: Apocalyptic/MessianicLoving: Apocalyptic/Messianic Love = Love = recognizing others as better than ourselvesrecognizing others as better than ourselves, being indebted , being indebted

to them, recognizing them as Christ for us to them, recognizing them as Christ for us and then and then responding to responding to them as indebted to the other (=being in love) them as indebted to the other (=being in love)

Loving begins by receiving: recognizing that I receive (received) Loving begins by receiving: recognizing that I receive (received) something from others; something from others;

Demands contemplation (corrective lenses)Demands contemplation (corrective lenses) Loving neighbor = recognizing them as Christ for us = loving God (no Loving neighbor = recognizing them as Christ for us = loving God (no

need of two commandments!)need of two commandments!) Then, responding with thankfulness… giving oneself to others. = Then, responding with thankfulness… giving oneself to others. =

genuine love genuine love Danger: 1) failing to see we have received or are receiving Danger: 1) failing to see we have received or are receiving

something from others something from others 2) Being abused & reinforcing oppressions… the weak, the 2) Being abused & reinforcing oppressions… the weak, the

oppressed viewing others as better than selves … and NOT oppressed viewing others as better than selves … and NOT BEING RECOGNIZED AS BETTER THAN SELF BY OTHER BEING RECOGNIZED AS BETTER THAN SELF BY OTHER

Homosexuality: ForensicHomosexuality: ForensicWeb: Web: Romans 1:26-27 and Scriptural Criticism"

Rom 1:26-27: Forensic Reading: Rom 1:26-27: Forensic Reading: this passage is a this passage is a moral teaching for Christian believers who are tempted moral teaching for Christian believers who are tempted to be homosexuals. to be homosexuals. Root-problem: will or knowledgeRoot-problem: will or knowledge

1:26-27 = paraenetic literature. like the Book of Proverbs 1:26-27 = paraenetic literature. like the Book of Proverbs = “You shall not commit homoerotic acts” (so as to = “You shall not commit homoerotic acts” (so as to escape the judgment, 1:18)escape the judgment, 1:18)

Loving Loving gays and lesbians = bringing them what they gays and lesbians = bringing them what they lack: = a knowledge of God’s will, so that they can lack: = a knowledge of God’s will, so that they can change their behavior; change their behavior;

Excluding them from community, for the sake of the rest Excluding them from community, for the sake of the rest of the community. (= Reading # 3, a variant)of the community. (= Reading # 3, a variant)

Homosexuality: CovenantalHomosexuality: CovenantalWeb: Web: Romans 1:26-27 and Scriptural Criticism"

Rom 1:26-27: Covenantal. Rom 1:26-27: Covenantal. teaches heterosexuals who condemn teaches heterosexuals who condemn homosexuals: Homoeroticism is a sin among others; hate the sin, homosexuals: Homoeroticism is a sin among others; hate the sin, but love the sinners, as God loves them. but love the sinners, as God loves them.

Homosexuals are like any other sinners, and thus, should not be Homosexuals are like any other sinners, and thus, should not be singled out as “them”! singled out as “them”! Root-problem: ideology (community) Root-problem: ideology (community)

homosexuals who struggle with God’s grace to overcome their homosexuals who struggle with God’s grace to overcome their homosexual inclination (as other people struggle to overcome their homosexual inclination (as other people struggle to overcome their own sins), even though, like everybody else, again and again they own sins), even though, like everybody else, again and again they need forgiveness, because they failed in their struggle against sin. need forgiveness, because they failed in their struggle against sin.

All of us, Christian believers, and members of the community of All of us, Christian believers, and members of the community of faith, are “recovering sinners” by God’s grace and through faith, faith, are “recovering sinners” by God’s grace and through faith, whatever might be our sin. whatever might be our sin.

Rom 1:26-27 (together with the rest of the letter, and 2:1) brings to Rom 1:26-27 (together with the rest of the letter, and 2:1) brings to homosexuals the good news of God’s unconditional love for them. homosexuals the good news of God’s unconditional love for them.

Loving Loving Don’t ask don’t tell; recognizing that church includes a Don’t ask don’t tell; recognizing that church includes a diversity of sinners, all called to contribute to the church’s vocation diversity of sinners, all called to contribute to the church’s vocation

Homosexuality: ApocalypticHomosexuality: ApocalypticWeb: Web: Scriptural Criticism of Romans 1:26-27

Rom 1:26-27: My Own Apocalyptic Reading: Rom 1:26-27: My Own Apocalyptic Reading: this passage teaches this passage teaches Christian believers both Christian believers both

to denounce destructive passion-filled homosexuality as idolatrous to denounce destructive passion-filled homosexuality as idolatrous Applies also to destructive passion-filled heterosexuality Applies also to destructive passion-filled heterosexuality

to discern and affirm what is “good and acceptable and perfect” in to discern and affirm what is “good and acceptable and perfect” in homosexual relations (Rom 12:2) homosexual relations (Rom 12:2) Root-problem: wrong faith/idolatryRoot-problem: wrong faith/idolatry

Life in idolatry is portrayed as shameful (Life in idolatry is portrayed as shameful (avtima,zesqaiavtima,zesqai). It is a life under ). It is a life under the destructive and deadly power of one’s idols, and as such it is a the destructive and deadly power of one’s idols, and as such it is a manifestation of God’s wrath that the gospel reveals (Rom 1:18, with manifestation of God’s wrath that the gospel reveals (Rom 1:18, with 1:16-17).1:16-17).

Because a good gift from God has been absolutized:Because a good gift from God has been absolutized: (good, constructive, loving homosexual relationships as well as hetero (good, constructive, loving homosexual relationships as well as hetero

sexual)sexual) Homophobia (rejections of gays and lesbians as sinners) = doing the very Homophobia (rejections of gays and lesbians as sinners) = doing the very

thing you hate (Rom 2:1; 7:15-20) = an idolatry thing you hate (Rom 2:1; 7:15-20) = an idolatry Absolutization of heterosexual relationsAbsolutization of heterosexual relations

Loving gays and lesbians Loving gays and lesbians for an heterosexual = recognizing the good for an heterosexual = recognizing the good gifts that one needs to receive from gays and lesbians gifts that one needs to receive from gays and lesbians

Sexuality: ApocalypticSexuality: Apocalyptic

Rom 1:26-27 as part of 1:18-2:1: My Own Apocalyptic Reading: Rom 1:26-27 as part of 1:18-2:1: My Own Apocalyptic Reading: this passage teaches Christian believers both this passage teaches Christian believers both

to denounce destructive passion-filled sexuality as idolatrous to denounce destructive passion-filled sexuality as idolatrous Applies to destructive passion-filled homosexuality Applies to destructive passion-filled homosexuality and heterosexuality and heterosexuality

to discern and affirm what is “good and acceptable and perfect” in to discern and affirm what is “good and acceptable and perfect” in sexual relations (Rom 12:2) = sexuality is a good gift from Godsexual relations (Rom 12:2) = sexuality is a good gift from God

But when a good gift from God is absolutized :But when a good gift from God is absolutized : Sexuality including sexual desire as good, constructive, loving Sexuality including sexual desire as good, constructive, loving

relationships relationships Then it becomes destructive, oppressive. Then it becomes destructive, oppressive.

JULIE CARLI JULIE CARLI Ch. 13: Loving and SexualityCh. 13: Loving and Sexuality

Formal Respondent: Formal Respondent: Murielle WymanMurielle Wyman Respondents:Respondents: Arden HendersonArden Henderson Derek AxelsonDerek Axelson Ross StackhouseRoss Stackhouse Julianne SnapeJulianne Snape Karney CarneyKarney Carney

RespondentsRespondents

a) Is your leader’s interpretation consistent? a) Is your leader’s interpretation consistent? b) What would be the teaching of Rom 13 for your b) What would be the teaching of Rom 13 for your

context? How would this change the choice of most context? How would this change the choice of most significant “theme”? role of Scripture? most significant “theme”? role of Scripture? most significant features (verses) of the text? significant features (verses) of the text?

c) conversely, how would the understanding of c) conversely, how would the understanding of YOUR CONTEXT (PROBLEM and ROOT-YOUR CONTEXT (PROBLEM and ROOT-PROBLEM) change from the perspective of the PROBLEM) change from the perspective of the interpretation favored by Julie or Madeleine?  interpretation favored by Julie or Madeleine? 

MADELEINE ST. MARIE Rom MADELEINE ST. MARIE Rom 13 and Resisting authorities13 and Resisting authorities

Formal Respondent: Formal Respondent: Jason JonesJason Jones Respondents: Respondents: Steve StaggsSteve Staggs Amy LentzAmy Lentz Jonathan BaynhamJonathan Baynham Iris AnkromIris Ankrom Jeremy SnowJeremy Snow  

RespondentsRespondents

a) Is your leader’s interpretation consistent? a) Is your leader’s interpretation consistent? b) What would be the teaching of Rom 13 for your b) What would be the teaching of Rom 13 for your

context? How would this change the choice of most context? How would this change the choice of most significant “theme”? role of Scripture? most significant “theme”? role of Scripture? most significant features (verses) of the text? significant features (verses) of the text?

c) conversely, how would the understanding of c) conversely, how would the understanding of YOUR CONTEXT (PROBLEM and ROOT-YOUR CONTEXT (PROBLEM and ROOT-PROBLEM) change from the perspective of the PROBLEM) change from the perspective of the interpretation favored by Julie or Madeleine?  interpretation favored by Julie or Madeleine?