Conflict and Identity in Romans: The Social Setting of Paul's Letter

Conflict and Identity in Romans: The Social Setting of Paul's Letter by Esler, Philip F.. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780800634353.

What is the purpose of Pauls letter to the Romans? Esler provides an illuminating analysis of this epistle, employing social-scientific methods along with epigraphy and archaeology. His conclusion is that the apostle Paul was attempting to facilitate the resolution of intergroup conflict among the Christ-followers of Rome, especially between Judeans and non-Judeans, and to establish a new identity for them by developing a form of group categorization that subsumes the various groups into a new entity.