Election of the Lesser Son

Book excerpt: Chapters 911 of Romans remains one of the most contested biblical texts in scholarship today. Theological discussions often limit the focus of this passage to Gods sovereignty or to Pauls defense of Gods faithfulness, but less attention has been devoted to the form and style. Wallace demonstrates how Paul weaves two distinct Jewish literary forms togetherlament and midrashinto a logical narrative concerning Israels salvation. Attention is given to Pauls poetical structures, key literary terms, and use of Old Testament contexts.