| The problems this dissertation addresses are (1) why resurrection is a persistent theme in Paul's letter to the Romans; and (2) what function resurrection performs in the letter.;The study begins with an investigation of the function that resurrection performs in Second Temple Jewish literature, concluding that it ensures full justice and vindication of God and God's people, that it reverses the failures of God's creation, and that it undergirds paraenesis.;Then, the texts in Romans where Paul refers to resurrection are investigated. Three in-depth studies are conducted: one on Rom 1:1--7 in light of epistolary and rhetorical criticisms; one on the Abraham narrative in Rom 4 in conversation with several recent commentators who give some indication of their understanding of Paul's hermeneutic; and a third study investigates Rom 10 as the climactic chapter of Paul's argument. On the foundation of these three studies, the remaining sections of the letter in which resurrection appears are investigated. The question put to these texts is, "What function is resurrection performing?" The recurring conclusion for this section of the study is that resurrection functions as a hermeneutical key by which Paul reinterprets various facets of the story of Israel.;The conclusions indicate that Paul, like his Jewish predecessors and contemporaries, used resurrection to undergird and empower his paraenesis, to cultivate hope for eschatological restoration of the cosmos, and to vindicate God. However, Paul's employment of the resurrection motif in each of these ways is significantly colored by the resurrection of Jesus.;This study brings to light that resurrection is a pervasive motif in Romans. It also suggests that the Christ event itself is the likely locus for the center of Paul's thought and that the current trend toward recognizing narrative dynamics in his letters will continue to prove a fruitful avenue for research. The final conclusion is that resurrection itself must be considered as an important element in Paul's work, distinct if inseparable from the crucifixion. |
