"The Vital Villain" - Romans 9, Apocalypse, & The Glory of the Story - A Substack Series
A Journey Through Romans Chapter 9 and it's Fascinating Social & Political Context
Welcome.
For a very long time, I have been pondering a biblical series on the Book of Romans, written by St. Paul, and it’s immensely rich social and political landscape.
And for this journey, I wanted to have as a focal point one of the most controversial and difficult to understand passages in the Bible, which is Chapter 9.
As a young man over 20 years ago, my heart and mind was fascinated by St. Paul’s most consequential letter, which was written to the Christians in Rome.
Although indeed just a letter and not really a “book”, it remains one of the most influential documents in history (if not the most influential).
And so this journey through history is long overdue.
The entire book will remain free to read here on substack. If you are enjoying the walk through history, and would like to support this effort, an audiobook and hard-copy book will eventually be available to purchase.
My goal here will not be to engage in apologetics (although you will find that I am reverent and respectful), nor to persuade anyone of the truth or error of St Paul’s message.
Rather, it will be to show the amazing context and journey that lies behind what is, in my opinion, the most remarkable letter ever written… a letter that has influenced virtually all nations throughout the world, to one degree or another.
So whether you are believer or skeptic or otherwise is not my concern here. All alike should be able to discern a remarkable historic epic story here… one that, regardless of your personal beliefs, will leave an impression of shifting titanic historic forces.
Very much inspired by the celebrated author and historian Tom Holland, and his book, “Dominion - How the Christian Revolution Remade the World”, this series will focus more on Romans specifically, and the amazing social, cultural, political, and messianic context behind the letter, and Romans 9 specifically.
And so if you are so inclined, please join me on this journey. And let’s see if we can discover together…
“The Glory of the Story”.