Reading Romans in Context: Paul and Second Temple Judaism

In a word, this book is brilliant. The writing is cogent and engaging, the content is relevant and useful, the organization and flow of the essays is seamless, and the overall result is an accessible, valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about how we can more fully appreciate Paul's writings under the illumination of his religion and culture.Although the book is a collection of 20 relatively short (seven or eight page) essays written by separate authors, it doesn't read that way. There is remarkable consistency in the organization, rhetorical approach, logical flow, and even the illustrations among the various chapters. Each essay addresses a small section of Romans, in canonical sequence; comparing and contrasting that section with a religious or historical text from the Second Temple era that contains similar themes and ideas, and ultimately helps us understand better how Paul incorporated those familiar elements in his premises, arguments, and conclusions.The pattern of each essay is regular. First, the author(s) states the basic theme of the section and describes how it fits into the surrounding context. Next, the extra-biblical text is introduced and analyzed for relevance, and then compared and contrasted with Paul's writing to see how he used familiar vocabulary and cultural context as connection points for his argumentation. In each case there is considerable overlap, but Paul eventually makes a rhetorical turn to demonstrate or highlight how the Christ event changed, or even reversed, our understanding of God's work and objectives in history and eschatology.In addition to providing deeper insight into Paul's writing in its cultural context, the book serves another valuable purpose. It provides a broad, nontechnical introduction to the important and ongoing dialog about the relationship between Paul and Second Temple Judaism. Delving into this topic by engaging directly with the writings of Wright and Sanders starts the initiate down a long and daunting path that stretches back to Schweitzer, Luther, Augustine, and even Plato, with numerous rabbit chases along the way. The opening introductory chapter and successive collection of essays in this book shortcut that path significantly, and it serves as an effective launching pad for this journey. Additional resources listed at the end of each chapter provide even further help in that regard. There is also a comprehensive glossary of potentially unfamiliar terms that are common to this subject at the back of the book, and when those words occur in the running text they are highlighted in bold font.A corollary benefit of this approach to putting Paul in context is the interaction with a wide range of important apocryphal, apocalyptic, and historic texts that are not commonly read or studied by nonspecialists. During the course of the book, the reader encounters books that include the Wisdom of Solomon, Tobit, Jubilees, Sirach, The Epistle of Enoch, the Greek Life of Adam and Eve, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the writings of Philo and Josephus.The contributors to this work are an emerging group of Pauline scholars from Durham University and it is exciting to see them standing on the shoulders of their masters, helping us peer further into the mind of Paul. This book is definitely not some esoteric rehashing of previous material. It is obvious that they have not only learned well, but they are challenging their teachers and starting to surpass them. We can look forward to some fresh advances from them in this field.In summary, this book provides a framework for deeper understanding of the book of Romans at multiple levels of discourse by introducing readers to, and then examining, Paul's use of cultural semaphores that would connect implicitly with his audience. And further, it does it in a way that is interesting, informative, balanced, and readily understandable even to those who are new to the subject. Beyond its value for personal study, I think it would also make an excellent study guide for the book of Romans in a group setting.

As a former Catholic, now Evangelical, I had never read the apocryphal books. This book helped me understanding that, although not deserving (IMHO) scriptural status, such writings are very useful in understanding the prevailing (or even trendy) thinking of the times in which the biblical characters and authors lived and wrote. It should go without saying that cultural context means everything in properly understanding scripture and what it meant to both the writers and readers (hearers) to which it was written. This book helps provide valid and valuable insights into that context.

Purchased as part of a required course. Interesting ideas from sources outside the Bible that informs selected thoughts in Romans.

Tons of great insights. Well worth the very modest price and brief read. Parallels shown without stretching beyond reason. Highly recommended

I liked the book a lot of good information

It covered the subject well. A little dry but then it is a textbook for school.

This book on Romans does a excellent job of teaching using historical texts for supporting his analysis. It is highly recommended.

This book is helpful if you are interested in the context of the time period and some of the literary techniques the Apostle Paul used in writing Romans.

This is an excellent book and easy to read since the progression through the book of Romans is broken down into manageable sections each being dealt with by a different author. Major topics and doctrinal positions of St Paul are covered.Nothing much is said of St Paul himself and I was not conscious of any significant reference to the teaching of Jesus, but in fairness this is not the purpose of the study.Second Temple Judaism is fascinating. I felt that those authors who were the bravest and most interesting chose texts which St Paul was most likely to be at variance with, while other chose texts which more or less support the doctrines of St Paul, probably because there is little Biblical support for those views.Some of the 19th century commentators on St Paul are insistent upon Paul not having borrowed any thoughts or doctrines from contemporary Jewish or traditional sources and therefore lend more weight to the “special revelations” of St Paul for his insights and developed doctrines. Later writers seem to be keener to link St Paul to contemporary Jewish thought, which may have something to do with cementing the authority of St Paul where his doctrines have become rather open to question.This is a “must read book” but it needs also to be read in the context of the differing views on St Paul in order to question and assess the authority by which St Paul develops his doctrines. Not everyone will be convinced.

Very academic. Requires patience. Great!!

Will I ever receive the book?Hum...

Arrived on the date. Great wee book.

A series of chapters expanded from the footnotes where they rightly belong. The main thrust of this book is that Paul is making a different point than the Jewish authors that predate him. While its a valuable point to be made, the chapters in this volume come across as minor points forced into book length - repetitive and quite far off to the side for average students of the text.Read the footnotes of a good technical commentary and you'll have everything you need.