The proposed study addresses one of the most pervasive contemporary threats to authentic preaching, namely the assumption of norms that are endemic to contemporary culture. As Paul contrasts the ’euangellion’ of Jesus Christ and the freedom of the new creation/new human being “in Christ” to what he identifies as ‘nomos’ (often translated ‘Law’ ), is it possible that Paul’s use of ‘nomos’ both 1)includes the Torah-based religious/social systems, social norms and legalisms of ‘nomos’ in 1st century Jewish society, and 2)transcends this ethnic reference to also include the imperial cult-based religious and moral norms and legalisms of 1st century Greco-Roman society – most particularly as imposed by the imperial theology and cultus of the Roman empire? The proposed study project would explore this important question with exegetical reference to Philippians, Galatians and Romans in the light of a selected body of contemporary Pauline studies, discussions with Pauline scholars and feedback from two pastoral focus groups. If this more encompassing (Greco-Roman) reference for Paul’s use of ‘nomos’ can be established, its relevance in the context of parish ministry, as pastors wrestle with the subtle and encompassing influence of (American) ‘civil religion’, could prove to be of immense theological and pastoral importance.