Two books that I've been very happy to work on are the latest releases in the ten-part Romans Through History and Culture series, edited by Cristina Grenholm and Daniel Patte. This novel series consists of edited volumes of essays relating to a particular historical and cultural approach in the hermeneutics of Paul's most influential epistle. The series "explores the past and present impact of Romans upon theology, and upon cultural, political, social, and ecclesial life, and gender relations." Each volume seeks to raise a fundamental critical question: "Why did I/we choose this interpretation rather than another one?" It's certainly something to consider since Augustine has influenced our collective Western understanding of Paul more than we'll ever know...
Volume Six is Medieval Readings of Romans edited by William B. Campbell, Peter S. Hawkins, and Brenda Deen Schildgen. Here, a wide array of scholars examine the influence of Paul upon such thinkers as Peter Abelard (and Heloise, too), Thomas Aquinas, and Dante Alighieri. The editors have approached the subject by analyzing the understanding of Paul separately in the Twelfth, Thirteen, and Fourteenth Centuries. To elicit future dialogue, scholars have also contributed responses to the selection of essays. It is a real pleasure to have collaborated with these editors to bring this important volume to light. Unfortunately, too many people think that Romans had been abandoned in the Medieval Age and that Luther picked up something dusty and forgotten. This book demonstrates that theologically, doctrinally, and artistically, Paul is certainly alive and well. Medieval Readings of Romans will be available for purchase in the US in mid-November and in the UK in January.
Leaping centuries forward, Reading Romans with Contemporary Philosophers and Theologians,
Volume 7, edited by Professor David Odell-Scott, offers
post-Enlightenment interpretations of Paul from both process
theological and continental philosophical perspectives. Drawing diversely from the groundbreaking ideas of Whitehead, Hartshorne, Levinas, Taubes, Badiou, Agamben, Zizek, and Kierkegaard, the contributors demonstrate how Paul has been positively received among both religious and secularized thinkers. The Epistle to the Romans, then, receives fresh, new interpretations unencumbered by the privileged ecclesiastical limits of doctrine or dogma. This is Romans at its philosophical and theological latest point, offering new pathways and directions towards rich conversations and reconsiderations. Volume 7 is currently available for purchase in the US and will be available in the UK in December.
At AAR next month, there will be three sessions of the Romans Through History and Culture seminar:
I) Schleiermacher, Schweitzer, Barth
II) Greek Fathers' Readings of Romans
III) Focal Points in Reading Romans: Eschatology, Apocalyptic, Messianism
Click the link above for the specific details regarding location, time, and presenters.
The next release from
T&T Clark will be Volume 8, Reformation Readings of Romans, edited by Kathy
Ehrensperger, in 2008. We'll be sure to let you know when it's coming out.
Earlier volumes in the series are also available:
Vol. 1 Reading Israel in Romans: Legitimacy and Plausibility of Divergent Interpretations, edited by Cristina Grenholm and Daniel Patte
Vol 2. Engaging Augustine on Romans: Self, Context, and Theology in Interpretation, edited by Daniel Patte and Eugene TeSelle
Vol 3. Navigating Romans Through Culture: Challenging Readings by Charting a New Course, edited by Khiok-Khng Yeo
Vol 4. Early Patristic Readings of the Romans, edited by Kathy L. Gaca and L. L. Welborn
Vol 5. Gender, Tradition and Romans: Shared Ground, Uncertain Borders, edited by Cristina Grenholm
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