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Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 2 – The Two Israels  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 2
Lactantius tells Romans, “Our ancestors were the patriarchs of the Hebrews” and “whose successors and posterity we are”; how does that way of speaking challenge modern instincts about ethnic identity, cultural ownership of the Bible, and who gets to claim Abraham as “our father”?
Another way to ask: Lactantius says, “Our ancestors were the patriarchs of the Hebrews.” How does that challenge how we think about ethnicity today, who “owns” the Bible, and who can call Abraham “our father”?

Direct Answer It challenges the idea that the Bible and Abraham belong to a single ethnic lineage, because the transcript presents Gentile believers as truly joined to Abraham’s people through faith in Christ. “Our ancestors” becomes a faith-based claim, not a DNA-based one.

Support from Transcript:

  • Lactantius (a “fleshly Gentile”) tells Romans: “Our ancestors were the patriarchs of the Hebrews,” and says believers are the Jews’ “successors and posterity.”
  • Paul’s language to Galatians is quoted: “If you are Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”
  • Justin Martyr says Christians are “the true spiritual Israel and the true descendants of Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.”
  • Abraham’s fatherhood is tied to faith before circumcision: “approved… on account of his faith, while he was still… uncircumcision… Father of many nations.”
  • Romans 11 imagery reinforces inclusion: Gentiles are “grafted onto the olive tree of Abraham.”
Discussion Follow-ups What does it change about how Christians read the Old Testament if they see it as their family history “by faith and the Spirit”? How do we speak this way without erasing Jewish unbelief/faith distinctions the transcript also maintains?

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