The Divine-Human Relationship in Romans 18 in the Light of Interdependence Theory

Yoonjong Kim analyses the divine-human relationship in Pauls theology, focusing on Pauls portrayal of the relationship in Romans 18. Kim stresses that previous studies of this relationship have not paid sufficient attention to the fact that it is not static, but rather exhibits progression and development towards a goal. To address the significance of the human agents role in the relationship, Kim employs a social psychological theory interdependence theory offering a consistent analytic framework for diagnosing the interactions in a dyadic relationship in terms of the dependency created by each partners expectations of outcomes. Kim explores several key stages of the divine-human relationship and the direction in which the relationship develops throughout Romans 18, in order to highlight the significance of the human partners in the course of the development. He focuses in particular on betrayal (1.183.20), restoration (3.2126; 5.111), the oppressive relationship with Sin (5.128.11), and the investment for the future (8.1239), and concludes that although the foundation of the relationship rests on Gods initiative, the divine outworking guides the relationship so that it facilitates mutual participation of the human partners in the restoration and development of the relationship toward the ultimate goal.