Romans: A Letter That Makes Sense of Life

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A perfect follow-up for readers of The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Lifeand for users of The Bible Course This is an enlightening and engaging guide to the highest peak in the mountain range of new testament letters. Andrew Ollerton makes difficult paths seem easy, as he takes us on this tour. We get insights into the cultural setting of the Bible, as well as how we should apply it to life today. ― Peter Williams, Principal, Tyndale House On all my travels, if I had the Gospels, Paul’s letter to the Romans and Andrew Ollerton’s book I would need nothing else!’ Sir David Suchet

Each chapter includes suggested Bible readings and questions for reflection, making this book a great choice for devotional reading for Lent 2023. Have you ever attempted to read, let alone understand Romans? Andrew Ollerton is determined to make Romans accessible to the normal Christian. Key truths are stated, explained, illustrated and applied. The church owes Andrew a huge debt for opening up this glorious letter. ― Rico Tice, co-founder of Christianity Explored It really helps to give people a route map through Romans, so they don’t feel lost and confused in the more detailed sections. I have developed the mountain metaphor as a visual way of imagining the whole letter: from the valley of sin [Romans 1-3], up to mountaineering the crux section of salvation [Romans 3-4], along the ridge of freedom [Romans 5-8] to the summit of hope [Romans 8-11). Then, ‘in view of God’s mercy’ we descend into more practical teaching [Romans 12-16]. Using this approach, or something similar, means each passage is framed by the whole and the series takes on a sense of adventure. Keep the main thing the main thing When the author pauses to illuminate a text, as he does with same sex attraction, divine sovereignty, the place of Israel in God’s purposes, or the relationship Christians have to the secular state, they are some fresh insights succinctly expressed.It’s been said that if the New Testament were the Himalayas, Paul’s Epistle to the Romans would be Mount Everest. The chapters of this book therefore imagine the contents of the letter as a great mountain landscape – complex, challenging but highly rewarding. Together, we will take on the challenge of ascending to the summit, taking in the view and then descending to put it into practice on the other side. Andrew’s book has been both a welcomed education and inspiration. It has given me greater understanding and confidence of the pivotal place of Romans in our discipleship and mission. I believe it is a must-read for anyone wanting to better equip themselves in understanding, and believing, why we should not be “ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” . . . I love it! ― Rev Mark Greenwood, National Evangelist and Head of Evangelism, Elim Churches UK I remember as a teenager using my lunch breaks to read and reread Paul’s letter to the Romans. Andrew Ollerton captures the compelling narrative substructure of Romans as he guides the reader steadily through this letter. It's been said that if the New Testament were the Himalayas, Paul's Epistle to the Romans would be Mount Everest. The chapters of this book therefore imagine the contents of the letter as a great mountain landscape - complex, challenging but highly rewarding. Together, we will take on the challenge of ascending to the summit, taking in the view and then descending to put it into practice on the other side.

St Paul’s Romans is one of the most important books of the Bible, but not the easiest. Andrew Ollerton has a gift for not only communicating it accessibly but also showing its deep and practical relevance to life now. ― David F. Ford, Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity, University of CambridgeA practical and rich companion to help you journey through the book of Romans. Deep theology sits wonderfully alongside