Christian Experience and Paul’s Logic of Solidarity: the Spiral Structure of Romans 5–8

This essay investigates key aspects of the rhetorical structure of Romans 5–8 in relationship to Paul’s depictions of Christian experience. Taking Romans 5:1–5 as a blueprint for a trajectory of hope in chapters 5–8, I discuss three textual “detours” where Paul interrupts that trajectory: a rhetorical performance of life under sin (7:7–25), a depiction of union with all creation in suffering and hope (8:18–27), and a cry of lament (8:26). These rhetorical interruptions evoke Christian experience in solidarity with all creation - a solidarity that in turn displays Christ’s redemptive participation in the depths of all human dereliction, and thereby evokes hope.