Title: Chapter 07: Fill-in-the-blank/Short Answer Questions: The Letter of Paul to the Romans
Course: Engaging the Christian Scriptures Instructor's Manual

Q: How has the way scholars approach the interpretation of Romans shifted over the years?
- traditionally, scholars read Romans as a systematic summary of the Christian gospel that was compiled for a group of Christians about whom Paul knew very little; increasingly, scholars have read Romans as a pastoral letter addressing a specific situation (traditionally, scholars read Romans as a systematic summary of the Christian gospel that was compiled for a group of Christians about whom Paul knew very little; increasingly, scholars have read Romans as a pastoral letter addressing a specific situation)

Q: What is the major theme that runs throughout the letter to the Romans?
- Jews and Gentiles are equally in need before God who is the sole source of righteousness and salvation for both groups (Jews and Gentiles are equally in need before God who is the sole source of righteousness and salvation for both groups)

Q: Briefly describe Paul’s Abraham illustration.
- Paul argues that Abraham was circumcised only after God declared him to be righteous; righteousness therefore comes with belief in God rather than with adherence to the law; Abraham is now the ancestor of all who believe in God (Paul argues that Abraham was circumcised only after God declared him to be righteous; righteousness therefore comes with belief in God rather than with adherence to the law; Abraham is now the ancestor of all who believe in God)

Q: What does Paul conclude about God’s wrath?
- that it is merited because of human sinfulness (that it is merited because of human sinfulness)

Q: What are the salvific effects of God’s justification for humans, both in the present and in the future?
- those who trust in Jesus have already been placed in a peaceful relationship with God in the present; those who trust in Jesus will be rescued from the future wrath of God (those who trust in Jesus have already been placed in a peaceful relationship with God in the present; those who trust in Jesus will be rescued from the future wrath of God)