Differences Between Hstorical and Literary Contexts of Letters
Please read Chapters 3-4 from the Fee/Stuart textbook:
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth: “The Epistles: Learning to Think Contextually” and “The Epistles: The Hermeneutical Questions.”
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Gordon Fee differentiates between historical and literary contexts of letters. Choose a segment of a New Testament letter that Fee does not treat and explain each of these contexts.
Note that you may need to use an extra source from the online library to help frame these contexts.
Your initial post should be a minimum of 250 words; then write a follow up post in support of your initial post as well as a post in opposition of your initial post. Each follow up post should be a minimum of 125 words.
Initial Post
A segment of the New Testament letter that Gordon Fee fails to treat is Paul's letter to the Romans. Paul’s letter to the Romans is a strong composition of the principle of Christ’s sovereignty and faith in Him as the way to redemption. This letter calls the Christians in Rome and all Christians to hold tightly to faith. Paul urges them to oppose all forceful laws imposed on them regarding redemption but not to exaggerate their freedom as Christians as a liability for others or as a renouncement of God's rule and will. Paul's purpose in writing this letter to the Romans was to declare the glory and greatness of Jesus Christ by teaching the good news and encouraging devotees. Paul was mainly concerned about his letter's receivers, those considered saints. Paul had an exceptional fondness for them, and because he was yet to visit a church in Rome, his letter to the Romans acted as an introduction.
Historical Context of Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Paul’s letter to the Romans was the longest of his letters which he wrote around 57ce. Paul’s style in writing this letter was the diatribe style. He appears to be offering a response to a critic, likely to be imaginary based on his encounters with objections in his journey. It is structured as a sequence of arguments where Paul changes his arguments and occasionally addresses those devotes referred to as saints, occasionally addressing the Gentiles, and occasionally the church in its entirety. Paul's purpose in writing the letter to Romans was to prove that human beings are justified only by faith. In supporting this message, Paul stated that whoever denied Christ will never understand His message and never understand the health of their souls. Paul further explains that human beings, by nature, are corrupted and that it is difficult to understand and practice God's rule and will. In structuring his letter to the Romans, Paul utilized six standard segments of ancient writing forms (Fee & Stuart, 1982). First, he indicated his name and to whom the letter was addressed. Paul proceeded to greet the recipient of the letter and offered an introduction of himself and his goals. He then offers a thanksgiving prayer and congratulates the Romans for their faith. His last and closing segment described his journey a...