Glory in Romans and the Unified Purpose of God in Redemptive History
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Glory in Romans and the Unified Purpose of God in Redemptive History

Glory in Romans and the Unified Purpose of God in Redemptive History

by Donald L. Berry

Overview

Eschatological glory is a significant motif in Romans that has failed to garner the attention it deserves. Donald Berry argues that glory lies at the heart of Paul's redemptive historical framework and is an integral part of the gospel Paul proclaims in Romans. For Paul, eschatological glory is the realization of God's purpose for Adam and for Israel to see and to show forth the glory of God. This divine purpose finds fulfillment in Christ and in the new humanity he creates, those who now have "hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:2).

Paul's letter to the Romans provides stunning glimpses into the nature of this eschatological glory and the hope that believers have in Christ. Through careful and compelling exegesis, Berry brings to light Paul's conception of glory and its place at the center of God's purposes in redemptive history.

While providing crucial insights into Romans, this study also contributes more broadly to Pauline theology and to the field of biblical theology. It highlights Paul's understanding of a unified divine purpose that runs through creation and redemption—God's desire to display his nature and character in all of creation through image-bearers who share in and reflect his glory.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781498230438
Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date: 02/19/2016
Pages: 246
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Donald L. Berry (PhD, Amridge University) is a husband, father, and a pastor at Christian Fellowship in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to a PhD in New Testament from Amridge, he also holds degrees from the University of Missouri (BS) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv).

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Abbreviations ix

1 Introduction to Eschatological Glory in Romans 1

Paul's Use of Glory in Relation to Christ and Believers 2

Thesis 4

Methodology 6

Summary 10

2 Glory in Romans 1-4, Part 1 11

Glory and the Unity of God's Purpose in History 11

"Glory" Texts in Romans 1-4 12

Romans 1:23-Exchanging Glory 13

Summary and Significance 30

3 Glory in Romans 1-4, Part 2 33

Romans 2:7, 10-Seeking Glory 33

Summary and Significance 48

4 Glory in Romans 1-4, Part 3 49

Romans 3:23-Falling Short of Glory 49

Summary and Significance 65

A Final Note: Romans 4 and Abrahams Inheritance of Glory 66

5 Glory in Romans 5:1-8:16, Part 1 68

"Glory" Texts in Romans 5-8 69

Romans 5:2-Boasting in Hope of Glory 69

Same Purpose, Different Adam (Rom 5:12-21) 79

Summary and Significance 88

6 Glory in Romans 5:1-8:16, Part 2 89

Present Life in Adam and in Christ (Rom 6:1 -8:17) 89

Romans 6:4-Raised through Glory 90

Glory-Less Life in Adam, Under Torah (Rom 7:7-25) 96

Preview of Glory: Life in Christ by the Spirit (Rom 8:1-17) 106

7 Glory in Romans 8:17-30, Part 1 114

Romans 8:17-18-Heirs of the World and Glory through Suffering 115

Romans 8:21-The Freedom of Glory and the Renewal of Creation 125

8 Glory in Romans 8:17-30, Part 2 136

The Spirit of Glory in Our Weakness (Rom 8:26-29) 136

Romans 8:30-Image-Bearers Again, Glorified at Last 140

The Facets of Image-Bearing Glory 142

Summary and Significance 157

9 Glory in Romans 9-11 160

"Glory" Texts in Romans 9-11 160

Romans 9:4-Israel's Promised Glory 161

Romans 9:23-Prepared Beforehand for Glory 168

Romans 11:13 Reconsidered 172

10 Romans 12-16: Present Life in the Body in Light of Future Glory 176

True Worship Restored (Rom 12:1-2) 177

Glorifying God in the Body Individually and Corporately (Rom 12:1-5; 15:5-7) 181

Summary and Significance 190

11 Conclusions and Implications 192 Conclusions 192

Implications and Future Research 195

Bibliography 197

Appendices

A The Image of God in the Old Testament and Its Relation to Glory 205

B Dual Implications of Glory in Romans: God's Ultimate Purpose and Humanity's Ultimate End 211

Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings 217

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Donald Berry's work fills a gap in Pauline studies by bringing to the forefront Paul's conception of eschatological glory in Romans. While many Pauline theologies touch briefly on 'glory' as an eschatological category, Berry's work is unparalleled in its detailed exegesis and redemptive-historical emphasis. Pauline scholars cannot afford to ignore this work; it is an indispensable contribution to the prolific field of Pauline studies."

—Daniel H. Fletcher, Associate Professor of New Testament, Turner School of Theology, Amridge University



"Donald Berry's study of glory in Romans represents biblical theology at its best. Berry considers the role glory plays in the storyline of scripture but also leads readers through what Romans teaches about glory. Even those who don't agree with everything Berry says will find his study to be challenging and illuminating. A book on glory in Romans needed to be written, and we can be grateful for Berry's insightful and theologically rich contribution."

—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Associate Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary



"Nothing is more central in Paul's theology, especially in Romans, than the theme of the glory of God revealed in Christ and his glorification. Berry ably explores that theme in helpful ways that show how for believers, sharing in Christ's glory is at the heart of their salvation in union with him."

—Richard B. Gaffin, Emeritus Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

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