Scott talks with JD and Kate about the first chapters of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, in which Paul writes about the universality of sin and the wrath of God.

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Righteousness of God = God’s faithfulness to his covenant promises— not only to Abraham, Moses and Israel, but to the whole of creation

Works of the Law (Works) = All the markers that, under the Mosaic covenant, designated membership in God’s covenant family (e.g, circumcision, kosher/dietary laws, Old Testament feasts, Sabbath observances) In short, the book of Deuteronomy. 

Faith = baptism

Salvation = being a part of the covenant family

Scott begins this new season about St. Paul’s letter to the Romans at the very end— chapters 14-16. In these “so what?” chapters, St. Paul answers the question at the heart of the letter— can God be trusted? 

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Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire by Scott McKnight

JD Flynn and Scott Powell are back in the classroom— with special guest, Pillar producer Kate Olivera— to talk about the Book of Romans. This week, Scott talks about St. Paul and the nature of letters. 

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The lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

In this final episode of our season about the psalms, Scott and JD talk about Book V— the “Now What?” psalms. In Book V, Israel praises God and reflects on the symbols of its identity. 

The symbols of Israel include land (Psalms 107-109), the Davidic king (Psalms 108-110, 118 and 138-145), the Torah (119) and the Temple (120-137). 

In Book IV of the Psalms, Israel reflects on the Exodus as they continue to wrestle with the loss of the kingdom and what that loss means for God’s kingship. 

Scott talks with JD about Book III of the Psalms. In Book III, Israel reckons with the loss of the kingdom. 

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Scott suggests the following psalms of lament: 74, 77, 79, 80, 88

Scott references the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2778

Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary by Gordon J. Wenham 

Scott talks with JD about the dramatic imagery of the psalms, the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Israel and how we can approach psalms about vengeance. 

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Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis

Scott and JD dive into Book I of the Psalms. Scott explores the themes of lament and praise, faith and hope. He also talks about the terms ‘Torah’ and ‘messiah.’

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The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams

Join JD Flynn and Scott Powell for this new season of Sunday School, all about the Book of Psalms. In this episode, Scott talks about the function of the psalms— and their place in Scripture.

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Show notes:

Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer by Eugene Peterson

Click here for a transcript of this episode.