INTRODUCTION
The YashaNet Torah Study Group has begun its book of Romans study, the second in our series of Bible book studies. Each of these studies designed for students to reach greater depths of understanding the Scriptures. Our other studies (Matthew, Revelation), are also being placed on this web site. The book of Romans Study is an intermediate level course.
NOTE: If you are new to Torah-based Bible study, we recommend you start with our Matthew study.
One goal of this study is to correct the common errors made in most Romans studies (and Bible studies in general), that are caused by ignorance of the context of the letter and a tainted opinion of Paul's view of the Torah. Only with an understanding of the historical and cultural reality surrounding the first century Roman congregation can anyone begin to properly interpret Paul's letter.
All of these facts help explain the beliefs and prejudices held by many gentiles in the congregation that Paul was writing to. Unfortunately, these issues have not been properly addressed until very recent times. This study aims to add to the current growing body of knowledge.
We will seek to accomplish this by:
- Placing the Romans letter back into its correct historical, cultural and religious context
- Understanding that the author, Paul, was a Torah-observant rabbi and Pharisee who viewed his mission to the gentiles in the context of his service to Israel
The following books will be used as part of this Romans study. The first several are recent publications, used to a great deal in this study, and highly recommended. We have linked their titles to their respective pages on Amazon.com to assist those interested in ordering them.
- The Mystery of Romans, by Mark Nanos
- Romans: A Shorter Commentary, by C.E.B. Cranfield
- The Jewish Roots of Romans, by Joseph Shulam
- The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism, by Norman Lamm
- Jew and Gentile in the Ancient World, by Louis H. Feldman
- The Unknown Paul, by Jacob Jervell
- On Romans and Other New Testament Essays, by C.E.B. Cranfield
- Luke and the People of God, by Jacob Jervell
- Caesar and Christ, by Will Durant
- The First Messiah, by Michael O. Wise
- Paul and the Jewish Law, by Peter J. Tomson
- Maimonides' Introduction to the Talmud, translated by Zvi Lampel
We will supplement the above by drawing on extra-Biblical Jewish writings including; the Talmud, Midrash Rabbah, Zohar and Bahir.
This study will spend some time researching "background" material for Romans before approaching the actual text. This material is critical to a proper understanding of the book of Romans.
BACKGROUND MATERIAL
- Click here to go to Part 1
- Topics Include: First century Roman view of Judaism; Collegia; the Synagogue and its authority; Jews among the empire; Roman paganism; anti-Jewish sentiment
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- Click here to go to Part 2
- Topics Include: Jewish views of: salvation, faith and freedom; expectations of the Messianic Age; "halakha" for righteous gentiles
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- Click here to go to Part 3
- Topics Include: Paul's view of faith, mission to the gentiles, Torah in Paul's life, Torah in Paul's teachings, interpreting Paul's difficult writings, the "curse of the Law," the multiple functions of the Torah, Torah in the life of the believer in Yeshua
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- Click here to go to Part 4
- Topics Include: Roman anti-Semitism, Roman-Jewish wars, anti-Jewish Roman laws, development of "the Church," church fathers, church councils
TEXT ANALYSIS
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