Election of the Lesser Son: Paul's Lament-Midrash in Romans 9-11
God chooses Israel (salvation “first to the Jew and then the gentile”), but without showing favoritism? Paul genuinely grieves for Israel as one speaking “in” Christ, yet prays to be cursed, cut off from Christ? Romans 9–11 remains one of the most difficult and contested biblical texts in scholarship today. Theological discussions often limit the focus of this passage to God’s sovereignty, emphasizing that God’s mind is not known, or to Paul’s defense of God’s faithfulness, insisting that Israel has failed. Less attention has been devoted to Paul’s unique form and style, which, rightly understood, resolve significant issues, revealing the merciful and wise character of God in his choice of Jacob, the lesser son.
David R. Wallace demonstrates how Paul weaves two distinct Jewish literary forms together––lament and midrash—into a logical narrative concerning Israel’s salvation. Attention is given to Paul’s poetical structures, key literary terms, and use of Old Testament contexts. The result is new insight into the meaning of the letter, and into the theology of Paul.
David R. Wallace demonstrates how Paul weaves two distinct Jewish literary forms together––lament and midrash—into a logical narrative concerning Israel’s salvation. Attention is given to Paul’s poetical structures, key literary terms, and use of Old Testament contexts. The result is new insight into the meaning of the letter, and into the theology of Paul.
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451482959
- eBook ISBN 9781451487510
- Pages 330
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Publication Date September 1, 2014
Contents
Contents:
Introduction
1. Paul’s Grief for Israel, 9:1-5
2. God’s Faithfulness for Israel, 9:6-29
3. Israel’s Failure to Hear, 9:30â??10:21
4. God’s Grace for Israel, 11:1-32
5. Paul’s Praise to God, 11:33-36
6. Results
Introduction
1. Paul’s Grief for Israel, 9:1-5
2. God’s Faithfulness for Israel, 9:6-29
3. Israel’s Failure to Hear, 9:30â??10:21
4. God’s Grace for Israel, 11:1-32
5. Paul’s Praise to God, 11:33-36
6. Results
Endorsements
"The strengths of Election of the Lesser Son are its careful attention to the larger structures of Paul's argument and to the way Paul weaves Old Testament allusions into his argument about Israel."
—Douglas J. Moo
Wheaton College
"Here's a fresh, inviting approach to the meaning of election in Romans 9–11, famously called the 'Gordian knot' by John Calvin. Wallace takes up the challenge by unpacking the form and style of Paul's argument, proposing a prophetic lament interwoven with midrashic exegesis. The study is replete with helpful graphic displays of the Romans text and fully engaged with current research. Wallace drives home a major point: in terms of pragmatics, God's election of Israel, the 'lesser son,' teaches the church humility, a notion seldom mentioned in treatments of the subject."
—Bruce Corley
B. H. Carroll Theological Institute
"How can Paul claim God shows no 'partiality' and yet insist 'to the Jew first' (Rom. 2:11; 1:16b)? With a deft weaving of Paul's psalmic lament over Israel with his doxological praises of God's gracious intent for all humanity in Romans 9–11, Wallace shows how God's election of 'Israel' already proves God's merciful compassion for the lesser, the weaker Jacob, such that God's grace to save through the rejection and raising of Israel's Messiah becomes a powerful demonstration of the righteousness/justice of God through weakness so that all—strong and humble alike—might be shown mercy. A new, illuminating impulse for comprehending Romans 9–11!"
—David P. Moessner
Texas Christian University
—Douglas J. Moo
Wheaton College
"Here's a fresh, inviting approach to the meaning of election in Romans 9–11, famously called the 'Gordian knot' by John Calvin. Wallace takes up the challenge by unpacking the form and style of Paul's argument, proposing a prophetic lament interwoven with midrashic exegesis. The study is replete with helpful graphic displays of the Romans text and fully engaged with current research. Wallace drives home a major point: in terms of pragmatics, God's election of Israel, the 'lesser son,' teaches the church humility, a notion seldom mentioned in treatments of the subject."
—Bruce Corley
B. H. Carroll Theological Institute
"How can Paul claim God shows no 'partiality' and yet insist 'to the Jew first' (Rom. 2:11; 1:16b)? With a deft weaving of Paul's psalmic lament over Israel with his doxological praises of God's gracious intent for all humanity in Romans 9–11, Wallace shows how God's election of 'Israel' already proves God's merciful compassion for the lesser, the weaker Jacob, such that God's grace to save through the rejection and raising of Israel's Messiah becomes a powerful demonstration of the righteousness/justice of God through weakness so that all—strong and humble alike—might be shown mercy. A new, illuminating impulse for comprehending Romans 9–11!"
—David P. Moessner
Texas Christian University