The debate over Romans chapter 7 has not lost momentum in recent decades, and is more heated than ever. The work of W. G. Kümmel, published in 1929, marked a major turning point in the history of research, but the literature of the past eighty-five years shows that, despite the momentary balance and the consensus that seemed to emerge at the time, scholars have still not reached a common position on even the most fundamental issues. The way we think about Paul's theology depends to a large extent on the way we look at Romans 7.
anthropology
Various aspects of Paul's theology continue to be of great interest to New Testament scholars today. The results show that, despite the consensus reached, many questions remain unresolved. This is true not only for the details but also for the main chapters of Pauline theology. Further research is therefore not only recommended but essential. Comprehensive studies or clarification of specific details can be fruitful for a deeper and better understanding.
The God of Jankélévitch is creative energy, eternal acting goodness and love, but it is not a person and does not personally know its creations. It does not rule, does not enter into a covenant, does not bring redemption at the cost of its own heartbreak, does not judge sins and does not forgive them, does not speak, does not give commandments, does not conquer death, does not resurrect the dead, and does not offer eternal life.
