Romans in Full Circle: A History of Interpretation
"Reasoner shows how the reading of Romans through the centuries has come full circle, from Origen to Augustine, Abelard and Aquinas, Luther and Calvin, and on beyond Barth, back to holistic, communal, and narrative-based readings in the style of Origen. A useful map of the history of interpretation of Paul's most important letter, this book will handily complement standard commentaries in introductory courses on Romans." —A. Katherine Grieb, Virginia Theological Seminary, author ofThe Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God’s Righteousness(WJK) and Co-Chair, Pauline Soteriology Group of the Society of Biblical Literature"Reasoner mines the riches of Christian tradition to open up perspectives on Romans that are unfamiliar to most laypersons and scholars alike—and yet of great value to anyone seeking to understand the book. His ability to bring ancient, medieval, and Reformation interpretation into conversation with recent historical-critical insights is especially refreshing and helpful, and his unfailing attention to the question of Jewish-Christian relations makes his book especially worthwhile. I warmly recommendRomans in Full Circle." —Jon D. Levenson, Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies, Harvard Divinity School"Here is a gem.  There is nothing quite like it.  Reasoner not only gives a short history of interpretation, but he also shows how interpreters over time have often come back full circle to issues and proposals that one finds as early as in the patristic era of interpretation.  Reasoner takes us through twelve often-controversial topics located in the text of Romans and goes to the original sources and culls out what major interpreters have held.  All this is done with fairness, some delightful anecdotes, and occasional wry humor." —Arland J. Hultgren, Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary