“A prolonged and careful study of Romans means finding that salvation is more complex, more cosmic, more challenging than we have usually imagined.”

I sat down with the esteemed New Testament scholar Beverly Roberts Gaventa to talk about her book "When in Romans: an invitation to linger with the Gospel according to Paul". We talk about why she was drawn (and remains drawn) to Paul, her big picture approach to Romans centring on the themes of salvation, Israel, ethics, and community. We also discuss connections between Paul’s letter and Terrence Malick’s film Tree of Life, taking seriously the "all" in conversations on salvation, writing on Romans in the shadow of Der Romerbrief, and why Phoebe goes to show that Pauline theology is not just a guy thing.