Monergism

D. A. Carson & Douglas J. Moo
An Introduction to the New Testament

Opinions about the theme of Romans have tended over time to move the center of attention from the beginning to the end of the letter. The Reformers, following the lead of Luther, singled out justification by faith, prominent especially in Rom. 1-4, as the theme of the letter. At the beginning of this century, however, Albert Schweitzer argued that justification by faith was no more than a “battle” doctrine—a doctrine Paul used only to fight against Judaizers—and that the true theme of Romans is to be found in the teaching of Romans 6-8 about union with Christ and the work of God’s Spirit. Romans 9-11 was the next section to take center stage in the debate. Far from the excursus that some have found in these chapters, scholars such as Krister Stendahl think that the central theme of Romans is to be found here: the history of salvation and of the two peoples, Jews and Gentiles, within this history. Finally, it has been argued that the practical exhortation to unity in 14:1-15:13 is the true heart of the letter (see the previous section).