The Manifestation of God’s Merciful Justice
A Theocentric Reading of Romans 3:21-26
by V.P. Chiraparamban
Rom 3:21-26 is crucial to the Letter to the Romans. Yet the construction and syntax of the pericope is perplexing, its meaning ambiguous or even obscure, its rhetoric complex and its interpretation and theology therefore controversial. Although clearly rich, its meaning is not easy to grasp in detail. This book argues that a theocentric reading does more justice to the text. Other readings overlook the overwhelming centrality and activity of God in Paul’s text. But a theocentric perspective provides a key which unlocks many of the puzzles in this passage and enables us to understand Romans 1-3.
Rom 3:21-26 is crucial to the Letter to the Romans. Yet the construction and syntax of the pericope is perplexing, its meaning ambiguous or even obscure, its rhetoric complex and its interpretation and theology therefore controversial. Although clearly rich, its meaning is not easy to grasp in detail. For many interpreters, it concerns the justification of the human before God. For others it is about how Christ’s faithful death justifies and redeems humanity. We can describe the former interpretation as anthropocentric, focused on a perceived human need; and the latter as christocentric, focused on the action of Christ. This book argues that a theocentric reading does more justice to the text. Other readings overlook the overwhelming centrality and activity of God in Paul’s text. But a theocentric perspective provides a key which unlocks many of the puzzles in this passage and enables us to understand Romans 1-3.
- By (author) VP Chiraparamban
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In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes
Studies in the Biblical Text in Honour of Anneli Aejmelaeus
Volume 72
“If Christ is Preached as Raised from the Dead…”
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Sabbath in the Making
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Three Versions of Esther
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A Cosmic Leap of Faith
An Authorial, Structural, and Theological Investigation of the Cosmic Christology in Col 1:15-20
Volume 41
Anthropology in the New Testament and its Ancient Context
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Volume 54
“Have You Not Read this Scripture?”
Memory Variation and Context-Based Modification in the Old Testament Quotations in the Gospel of Mark
Volume 116
The Sources of Celsus’s Criticism of Jesus
Theological Developments in the Second Century AD
Volume 108
My Shepherd, though You Do not Know Me
The Persian Royal Propaganda Model in the Nehemiah Memoir
Volume 78
Happy the One who Meditates on Wisdom (Sir. 14,20)
Collected Essays on the Book of Ben Sira
Volume 43
The Old Greek of Isaiah: Issues and Perspectives
Papers read at the Conference on the Septuagint of Isaiah, held in Leiden 10-11 April 2008
Volume 55
Meaningful Meetings with Foreigners in the World of the Bible
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Jesus, the Eschatological Temple
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Volume 58
A Divine Round Trip
The Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John
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