Circumcision of the Heart: Extrinsic and Intrinsic Religiosity in Romans 1–5

Abstract

The question of whether Paul objecting to works righteousness, or Jewish religious pride continues to dominate discussion of Romans 1–5. This paper takes a different approach. Drawing on Allport’s and Ross’s theory of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Religion, it suggests that, when Paul speaks of faith, he is thinking of a deeply-held spirituality which seeks God for himself (‘circumcision of the heart’). He sets this over and above self-serving religiosity, a tendency which is found in all religious communities and which he fears is threatening the church at Rome. The paper explores the implications of this interpretation for some recent exegetical debates and for contemporary pastoral practice.