Book Reviews

The book seems to be in response to the Calvinist/non Calvinist debate on Romans, especially Romans 9:13 “Jacob I have loved but Esau I have hated.” Mr. Galante gives us a third perspective, one that is much more allegorical. He does not deny that Jacob is the biological progenitor of Israel, from whom comes the messiah, but does present Romans 9 through the older son/younger son paradigm that runs through the entire Bible. It begins with Cain and Abel and runs through Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob, Ephraim and Manasseh, and is presented in the New Testament in parables such as the prodigal son and others. Aspects of the older son/younger son paradigm are visible even in instances where the people involved are not actually brothers, such as Moses and Joshua. In fact, once you know what to look for the paradigm appears all over scripture in many prophecies. The “firstborn” either biological or metaphorical, is always passed over and the blessing or inheritance goes to the second born. The author believes that Paul, as a Jewish rabbi who knew his scriptures very well, was almost certainly speaking to this paradigm in Romans 9 when he spoke of Jacob and Esau, quoting Malachi 1:2-3. The book interacts with these verses as well. Esau represents the firstborn and is an allegory for the old covenant; Jacob is the second son, allegorically the new covenant, to whom the inheritance ultimately goes. This has a big implication on what Paul meant by “not all Israel are of Israel” in Romans 9:6. Also, a major key to interpreting what Paul meant in Romans 9 is Galatians 4:21-31 where Paul actually spells out the older son/younger son paradigm.

I really enjoyed how the author brought together a different view on what is meant to hate Esau and love Jacob. This alternative view sheds light on how God is the loving Father, with a master plan. This plan which is kind of understood by most now becomes apparent that it was overlooked by myself and by most who have faith on what the above statement even means. I am glad I got to read this book and gain insight of what that statement foreshadowed. Sometimes the book is repetitive. However, that seems to be intentional to get us to understand that the Bible is repeating a message over and over again too. No spoilers here. So many wonderful insights and thoughts contained in the book most have never heard. The book at times is straightforward. At other times the authors thinking process leaves you trying to figure out it for yourself what the scriptures are saying. A nice balanced approach that doesn’t bringing a hammer to the thought process with every point made. Many points in the book you have to piece together what the author is saying. The book kind of tickles you with a feather in hopes you wake up to some new realizations. I found it fun discovering scriptures in way I believe the original author of the Bible intended us to gather from His wisdom He left us.

Ever since leaving Calvinism I’ve been looking for an alternative explanation for Romans as a whole, and Romans 9 specifically. I knew that faith/works was the theme, but I couldn’t put all the pieces together. The author not only did that beautifully in a specific and also more meta-paradigmatic way but also spoke to overarching themes of God’s ever and always plan of opening up salvation to the world, dismantling the hermeneutic of dispensationalism, revealing that the end times passages are for the most part referring to the temple destruction of 70 AD, and several more paradigm-shifting perspectives—a very necessary read for shaking one out of your current system. Maybe you won’t agree with everything, but it helps to see things from a different perspective. I am very thankful for this book in my journey.