Encountering The Book Of Romans

In this updated edition of his successful textbook, a leading evangelical New Testament scholar offers a guide to the book of Romans that is informed by current scholarship and written at an accessible level. The new edition has been updated throughout and features a new interior design. After addressing introductory matters and laying the groundwork for reading Romans, Douglas Moo leads readers through the weighty argument of this significant book, highlighting key themes, clarifying difficult passages, and exploring the continuing relevance of Romans. As with other volumes in the well-received Encountering Biblical Studies series, this book is designed for the undergraduate classroom and includes pedagogical aids such as photos and sidebars. A test bank for professors is available through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources.

Contents

To the Student
Part 1: Encountering an Ancient Letter: Romans 1:1-17
1. Getting Oriented: What Is Romans Really About?
2. Paul and the Romans
3. The Gospel of God: Romans 1:1-17
Part 2: Encountering the Human Dilemma: Romans 1:18-3:20
4. God's Wrath against Sinners: Romans 1:18-32
5. Jews Are 'without Excuse': Romans 2:1-29
6. The Universal Power of Sin: Romans 3:1-20
Part 3: Encountering God's Provision in Christ: Romans 3:21-4:25
7. God's Righteousness in Christ: Romans 3:21-31
8. The Faith of Abraham: Romans 4:1-25
Part 4: Encountering Life and Hope in Christ: Romans 5:1-8:39
9. Rejoicing in Life and Hope:
Romans 5:1-21
10. Freedom from the Power of Sin: Romans 6:1-23
11. Freedom from the Law: Romans
7:1-25
12. Life and Hope through the Spirit:
Romans 8:1-39
Part 5: Encountering the Relationship between Israel and the Gospel: Romans 9:1-11:36
13. Israel and the Plan of God:
Romans 9:1-29
14. Israel, the Gentiles, and the
Righteousness of God: Romans
9:30-10:21
15. The Future of Israel: Romans
11:1-36
Part 6: Encountering the Transforming Power of the Gospel: Romans 12:1-15:13
16. The Christian Mind-Set: Romans
12:1-21
17. Citizens of the World and Citizens of Heaven: Romans
13:1-14
18. A Plea for Unity in the Church:
Romans 14:1-15:13
Part 7: Encountering the Letter's Conclusion: Romans 15:14-16:27
19. Additional Comments on the
Concluding Material: Romans
15:14-16:27
Glossary
Indexes

Endorsements

'It is hard to imagine a more reliable guide to Romans than Douglas Moo. His expertise as a commentator is renowned and rightly so. In this work he distills his knowledge in a way that is accessible to the ordinary person. If one wants to become acquainted with Paul's theology and gospel in Romans, this volume is the perfect place to begin.'

Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

'This clearly explained, beautifully illustrated introduction to Romans by one of the leading scholars in the field will be immensely useful to anyone interested in the letter. One could not find a more experienced and highly skilled guide through the terrain of Romans than Douglas Moo. The well-chosen maps and photographs and the thoughtfully crafted discussion questions make this book an ideal choice for introductory classes on the letter, Bible study groups, and anyone who wants to understand this engaging and powerful text.'

Frank Thielman, professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School

'Douglas Moo is the preeminent evangelical Pauline scholar of our generation. His Encountering the Book of Romans is a wonderful distillation of nearly four decades of solid exegetical work on Paul's most famous letter. In this updated edition, Moo continues to lead students through the major blocks and themes of the letter in a way that is easy to understand but does not dumb down the sophistication of Paul's message. The commentary is enhanced with many helpful charts, summaries, tables, and pictures. A great resource for students embarking on a study of Romans for the first time.'

Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley Melbourne Mission and Ministry College, Australia

'The product of a notable Pauline scholar and an experienced teacher, this textbook provides an excellent and reliable guide to reading Paul's Letter to the Romans. For those encountering this letter for the first time, this work will bring alive Paul's important message for all believers. For those revisiting this letter, this work also serves as a helpful introduction to the scholarly reading of this Pauline letter. Particularly useful are the numerous sidebars that deal with various theological, structural, linguistic, and contextual issues.'

David W. Pao, professor of New Testament and chair of the New Testament Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Reviews

Praise for the First Edition

'Most students find they need initial help in getting to grips with Romans. Moo guides his reader surely through the meanders of an often difficult argument, writing clearly and with a good command of his subject. Since his target is the Christian student, the style is inclusive and on every page the reader is invited to make personal application of Paul's message. The result is a book that both warms the heart and engages the mind.'

Gordon Campbell,

Themelios

'[Encountering the Book of Romans] is Moo's third commentary on Romans in recent years, which reveals his ability to write in an appropriate way for different audiences. . . . The inclusion of study questions at the close of each chapter indicates its usefulness as a means of deeper study in the doctrines and issues raised in Romans.'

Malcolm Maclean,

Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology

'Will prove useful to anyone teaching the book of Romans, whether in an adult forum or a college classroom. . . . Moo's work will indeed lead to an encounter with Romans that will lead to a deeper understanding of Paul's great letter.'

Edgar Krentz,

Currents in Theology and Mission

'Douglas Moo's theological exposition of Romans is aimed at upper level college students. It exhibits excellent, contemporary and evangelical scholarship. While presenting factual content the work also introduces historical, geographical and cultural background material. Dealing with critical issues it substantiates the Christian faith. . . . This is an exceptionally helpful and readable commentary for use by anyone looking to enhance their knowledge on the New Testament book of Romans.'

Richard E. Allison,

Ashland Theological Journal

'[Moo] attempts to take more technical arguments of his commentaries and put them into layman's terms in order to inform the college level student. This goal is achieved in part by the format of the book and in part by the clear concise writing of Moo. . . . A good starter into Romans and well worth the money.'

Craig Smith,

Anvil

'Moo is well-known to students of the book of Romans. . . . Moo's contribution to the Encountering Biblical Studies series distills his thinking on Romans into a very readable form, intended to introduce students to the major issues one needs to face when reading Romans. Like other books in this series, Encountering the Book of Romans is designed to be used in a classroom. The chapters are brief and divided into clear sub-units. Each chapter begins with clear objectives. . . . The chapters conclude with study questions that could be used for writing assignments for a class on Romans. Key terms are listed at the end of a chapter and appear in bold in the body of the text. Like most textbooks, there are numerous text boxes scattered throughout the book that give additional information or connect the text of Romans to larger questions of Pauline theology. . . . Moo manages to treat the classic exegetical problems in Romans with brevity and clarity. . . . As an introduction to the book of Romans, this book is an excellent choice for undergrad classes and a good choice for graduate classes.'

Phillip J. Long,

Reading Acts blog