Persistence in/of Grace:
A Reflection on Romans 5

Nearing the end of 2020, Paul's claim that suffering produces endurance invites skepticism. Yet this rhetorical flourish takes us deep into the heart of Romans and offers nothing less than God's own strength for the tasks ahead.

About the presenter

Beverly Roberts Gaventa is Distinguished Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Baylor University, as well as Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis Emerita at Princeton Theological Seminary. Her publications include Our Mother Saint Paul (Westminster John Knox, 2007), The Acts of the Apostles (Abingdon, 2003), I and II Thessalonians (Westminster John Knox, 1998), Mary: Glimpses of the Mother of Jesus (University of South Carolina, 1995; Fortress, 1999), and From Darkness to Light: Aspects of Conversion in the New Testament (Fortress, 1986). Her most recent book, initially presented as the Currie Lectures at Austin Seminary, is When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel according to Paul (Baker Press, 2016). Her current project is a commentary for the New Testament Library on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. 

Recently, Dr. Gaventa received the Burkitt Medal by the British Society for Arts and Humanities, an annual award in biblical studies rarely bestowed on an American scholar. In 2016 she was president of the Society of Biblical Literature, the largest professional organization of biblical scholars in the world. She has lectured widely in the U.S. as well as in Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.  Dr. Gaventa is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and a member of the University Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas.