Author Andrew Ollerton begins his accessible and hopeful exploration of the book of Romans by noting that “it’s been said that if the New Testament were the Himalayas, Romans would be Mount Everest and chapter 8 would be the summit.”
An avid hiker who loves mountains, Ollerton employs them as a metaphor by which to grasp the apostle Paul’s insights and logic, inspired by the Holy Spirit, in the book of Romans. Just as mountains present challenges and rewards to hikers, so Romans, according to Ollerton, can be “imagined as a vast landscape – complex and challenging but highly rewarding.” Ollerton’s goal in unpacking Paul’s letter for readers is that their “confidence in the gospel will have increased, along with our ability to live it out in everyday life.”
Each chapter is divided into two parts. First, Ollerton “Looks At” Romans to explore the original context of each passage. Second, he “Looks Through” Romans like a lens to see what it means today. Framed as an adventure, Ollerton’s outline includes an examination of the route of the gospel, the valley of sin, the crux of salvation, the place of peace, the ridge of freedom, the summit of hope, the cloud of mystery, the descent of devotion, the return to community, and the onward mission.
Each chapter ends with reflection questions and challenges to help readers grow deeper in faith. Recommended for individual and small group study. (Hodder &Stoughton)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.