How Much Context Do We Really Need? - Letters Q+R #2

This week, we finish our How to Read the Bible podcast series with one final Q+R episode where we answer questions like, “How do we know Paul’s letters are authentic?” and “Are morning devotionals still okay?” Tune in to hear your questions answered!

View full show notes from this episode →

Timestamps 

• Is there still a role for devotional reading? (02:12)
• Did the New Testament authors take the Old Testament out of context? (07:20)
• How much of the Hebrew Scriptures did Paul expect the Gentiles to know? (15:30)
• How much context do we need to really understand the letters? (21:37)
• How was Paul able to write letters while in prison? (30:38)
• Could the use of scribes explain differences in Paul’s style? (35:38)
• How do we apply Paul’s words in Romans to our context today? (42:42)

Additional Resources 

• G. Beale, The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts?: Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the New
• Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, O.P., Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His Skills
• Randolph Richards, Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and Collection
• Scot McKnight, Reading Romans Backwards
• Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet

Show Music 

• Defender Instrumental by Tents

Show produced by Dan Gummel and Camden McAfee.  Audience questions collected by Christopher Maier.

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