Invitation to Romans: Participant Book: A Short-Term DISCIPLE Bible Study

by Pamela Michelle Eisenbaum

Exploring how people have interpreted Romans through the ages is a good lens to view the history of Christianity itself. Compare what Paul writes in Romans to what theologians like Augustine, Luther and Calvin say in trying to understand Paul in their time. At the end of this study your group will have a more informed commitment to Paul's radical vision of God's relationship to both Christians and Jews and to their relationship to each other, thanks to the "love of God in Christ Jesus."

The weekly video segments first present text read aloud against a backdrop of a wide variety of church settings followed by a conversation between a church historian and a church theologian about the text. The second weekly video is led by story teller, Michael Williams, who shares snapshot views of how Romans has been read through history.

Ideal experience for adults who are interested in the practice of prayer and worship and would like to connect prayer practice with Scripture. The study is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience.

Participants for this Invitation to Romans do not have to have an in-depth knowledge of the Bible to enjoy and benefit from participation. Reading just two chapters of Romans a week, they will discover the life altering stories that will invite them to follow Christ as true disciples.

This eight-week study includes a participant book outlining daily reading assignments for group preparations, a leader guide suggesting discussion activities for use in the 60–90-minute weekly meeting, and a video component providing interpretation and context for the biblical texts.


An Orientation to Romans
The Righteousness of God and the Faith of Jesus
Abraham, Father of All
Christ, the New Adam
Sin, Law, and Grace
Divine Purpose and Human Responsibility
The Salvation of Israel and the Nations
Love and Humility Are the Making of God's Kingdom

101 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bob Buice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short text on St. Paul's intriguing Epistle to the Romans.

[Steven Bullmer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this study. It's part of DISCIPLE Bible study, and I love DISCIPLE. Dr. Eisenbaum teaches at my seminary, and I greatly appreciated the education I received at Iliff. In fact, it was a Student Internship in the Bible Department that helped me fall in love with Scripture. And Dr. Eisenbaum was upfront in saying this would be an alternative to the traditional interpretation of Romans, and I love alternative views to traditional interpretations. In fact, I have a few myself. But I wound up arguing in the margins of the book with Dr. Eisenbaum's take on Paul and on Romans. I think Dr. Eisenbaum's insistence that God is the subject on Romans and not so much Jesus is "the tyranny of a false dichotomy" (a lesson I learned at Iliff from Charles Milligan). I also think her insistence that Paul is actually a Jew instead of a Christian is another tyrannical false dichotomy. I'm not sure why Augustine is the source of all that's wrong with the institutionalized Christian Church, nor why we would have all been better off if we had just listened to Origen. And ultimately the book did not deliver on it's promise in the "Invitation to This Study" (p. 7) that the goal of the study was "encouraging and enhancing Christian discipleship." At least for me, the study did neither.

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what a study guide should be. It relies on the original text as primary. It prompts the brain with provocative questions. It suggests alternative views without presuming more than is definitive. I had the benefit of participating in a class led by the author. The experience deeply enriched my understanding of Romans, a book I had previously considered very confusing.