The Romans Debate

Spanning the spectrum of interpretation, these essays challenge opposing views, complement points of consensus, and above all contribute to our understanding of Paul's controversial letter to the Romans.

* A fresh and thorough new reading of the situation prompting Paul's most important and puzzling letter

Witherington gleans fresh insights from reading the text of Paul's epistle in light of early Jewish theology, the historical situation of Rome in the middle of first century A.D., and Paul's own rhetorical concerns.

In this volume, leading scholars in the study of Romans invite students and nonspecialists to engage this text and thus come to a more complete understanding of both the letter and Paul’s theology. The contributors include interpreters with different understandings of Romans so that readers see a range of interpretations of central issues in the study of the text. Each essay includes a short review of different positions on a topic and an argument for the author’s position, set out in clear, nontechnical terms, making the volume an ideal classroom tool. The contributors are A. Andrew Das, James D. G. Dunn, Victor Paul Furnish, Joel B. Green, A. Katherine Grieb, Caroline Johnson Hodge, L. Ann Jervis, E. Elizabeth Johnson, Sylvia C. Keesmaat, Rodrigo J. Morales, Mark D. Nanos, Jerry L. Sumney, and Francis Watson.

Building on his own translation from the Greek, Hultgren walks readers through Romans verse by verse, illuminating the text with helpful comments, probing into major puzzles, and highlighting the letter's most inspiring features. He also demonstrates the forward-looking, missional character of Paul's epistle -- written, as Hultgren suggests, to introduce Roman Christians to the major themes of Paul's theology and to inspire in them both confidence in the soundness of his teaching and support for his planned missionary efforts in Spain.

Introducing Romans, a kind of introduction-ahead-of-time to Richard Longenecker's forthcoming commentary on Romans, is a major achievement in its own right, the fruit of at least fifty years of scholarship on the apostle Paul and on Romans in particular. It can stand alone as an indispensable handbook for anyone venturing to write a commentary of one's own or for anyone who wants to teach or understand that classic letter. Above all, Longenecker succeeds admirably in putting the many issues surrounding Romans in the broadest possible historical context, encompassing not just recent fashions but the legacy of centuries. Seasoned scholars and beginning students alike have every reason to be grateful. J. Ramsey Michaels, Missouri State University.

Paul s letter to believers in Jesus at Rome has always been very highly regarded within the Christian church, playing a central role in the formulation and proclamation of Christian doctrine. Yet despite its status in the church and its importance for Christian thought, life, and proclamation, Romans is not a simple writing -- it is one of the most difficult New Testament letters to analyze and interpret. In this commentary prominent New Testament scholar Richard Longenecker offers a clear analysis of Romans that builds on the work of past commentators while still being informed by significant studies and insights of interpreters today. His analysis is critical, exegetical, and constructive, but pastoral in its application. Longenecker also sets a course for the future that will promote a better understanding of this most famous of Paul s letters and a more relevant contextualization of its message.