Term Paper on "Exegesis Romans 4:1-25 the Context"

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[EXCERPT] . . . .

Exegesis

Romans 4:1-25

The context of this passage is essential to its understanding both during the time it was written and to contemporary readers. Though this passage mentions only Abraham and quotes liberally from the Old Testament (particularly Genesis), it directly precedes a chapter concerned wholly with Jesus Christ and his role as savior and redeemer of his people, and the methods by which this redemption is affected. This passage shows -- or arguably creates, to some degree -- strong bonds between the two figures, whose lives as mortals are paralleled at least in their both being founding figures of a religion. As such, this passage can itself be read as something of an exegesis on the passages in the Old Testament concerning Abraham that it references. Much of the New Testament not concerned with the life and works of Jesus of Nazareth is devoted to this type of interpretive pursuit, connecting Old and New Testament idea and figures in order to create a united story and theology able to encompass and envelop the diverse and vast groups of people finding their way to Christianity from Judaism and other religions.

In raising the questions of what constitutes righteousness and the role of faith in redemption, this passage is attempting to define (or redefine) Judeo-Christian theology in the large sense, and on a somewhat smaller though perhaps more directly impacting way to address and perhaps even suggest changes in religious practice of the time. The over-riding message of the passage, other than the connection between Abraham and Jesus Christ as figures of righteousness, and of salvation and redemption for their people, is that it is through

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faith rather than works that redemption is achieved. This is explicitly taken to mean that the practice of certain customs and laws prescribed by the Old Testament as a part of the contract between God and man (specifically Abraham) was not really necessary for achieving righteousness.

The issue of faith and the similar positioning of Abraham and Jesus are the two larger concepts that the readers (or, more likely, hearers) of this passage during the time it was first written would have perceived. The idea that justification comes through good works is neatly abolished here, and Abraham's righteousness prior to his circumcision is heralded as proof of this new theological and moral direction. In fact, circumcision is focused on as one of the major "works" or acts believed to be of utmost importance in the contract between a man and God that is not actually (according to this passage) a necessity for righteousness, justification, or redemption. In the Old Testament, circumcision is a symbol of the covenant made between God and Abraham, but this passage made the Christian religion open to adult males of any background without requiring them to go through a painful and somewhat disturbing procedure.

The practical and political implications of this passage cannot go without mention. Many of the different aspects of the passage can be seen as encouragements to conversion, on both theological and practical grounds. Increasing the number of Christians would necessarily increase the power and social impact of the earlier practitioners of the religion, and this was the overt and explicit goal of Jesus' ministry for theological reasons as well. Circumcision is only the most explicit instance of the relaxation of rules that this passage presents. In a more general way, it asserts that all works are essentially unnecessary to the correct practice of religion -- faith in God is the only truly inherent requirement for righteousness.

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Quoted Instructions for "Exegesis Romans 4:1-25 the Context" Assignment:

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*****Exegesis***** (literally, *****to draw out*****) means to expound upon a text, to unpack a text of its many meanings. Thus the student will chose a New Testament passage from the following list and write an analysis of the text in order to: (1) discover and present what the passage meant to its original hearers in its original context; and (b) interpret this original meaning theologically and practically for the reader today. In doing so the student will consider the historical, religious, social, and cultural background in which the text was written, as well as the genre, structure, content and intent of the particular New Testament book in which the passage is contained. The student will also attempt to employ hermeneutical (interpretative) principles in so far as they are covered in class. The online course contains resources under the following headings for your convenience in the Study Tools section: Research & Paper Writing, Bibliographies, and Articles & Essays.

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