Reading Romans 4 Backwards
Abraham Mirrored in His σπέρμα, Isaac
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21408465 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Karl Olav Sandnes (0000-0002-1742-2184, MF Norwegian School of Theology Religion and Society Gydas vei 4, Postboks 5144 Oslo Norway, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 115 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 69-89 |
| Publication date | 2024-02-07 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0044-2615 • E-ISSN: 1613-009X |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1515/znw-2024-0004 |
| OpenAlex | W4391787916 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
This article argues that the different aspects at play in Rom 4 come together to depict Abraham as a paradigm, mirrored in both the Isaac story and in Ps 31 LXX. Abraham is not only an example of faith but also of how God justifies sinners. Abraham was ungodly, a trait that Paul develops in line with Rom 1,18–3,20 on universal sinfulness. The birth story of Isaac, his physical σπέρμα, illustrates how God makes the impossible possible and how the ungodly are reckoned righteous. Abraham trusts God, who calls into being what does not exist; in so doing, he mirrors the sinner in Ps 31, cited in Rom 4,7–8, who trusts and puts his hope in God
Art · Linguistics · Literature · Reading (process) · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |