Romans: A Social Identity Commentary - (T&t Clark Social Identity Commentaries on the New Testament) by William S Campbell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

William S. Campbell provides a comprehensive commentary on Paul's most challenging letter. In conversation with reception history and previous scholarship, he emphasizes the contextuality of Romans as a letter to Rome, using social identity theory combined with historical, literary and theological perspectives to arrive at a coherent reading of the entire letter. Because Paul has never visited Rome and is not the founder of the Christ-movement there, Campbell argues that his guidance and teaching are formulated more cautiously than in his other letters. Yet the long list of people who had previous links with him and his mission to the 'gentiles' demonstrates that Paul is well-informed about the situation in Rome and addresses issues that have arisen.

With Christ the Messianic Time is beginning, but there was some lack of clarity in Rome about the implications of this for Jews and gentiles. Rather than ethne in Christ replacing Israel, as some in Rome possibly concluded, Campbell stresses that Paul affirms the irrevocable calling of Israel, and that simultaneously the identity of ethne in Christ is also called alongside the people Israel; thus, the integrity of the identity of both is affirmed as indispensable for God's purpose now revealed in Christ. Campbell fully demonstrates how Paul in Romans achieves this by the social and theological intertwining of the message of the gospel.

Review Quotes

"Campbell's treatment of this complicated Pauline composition reflects his intellectual acuity, erudition, and insight. Although Campbell has published scholarship on Romans for decades, his thinking is commendably shaped by recent scholarly contributions, and thus this treatment is timely and up to date, as is his bibliography... this book represents a strong presentation of [his position on Romans]." --Review of Biblical Literature

"In this impressive volume, Campbell gives a reading of Romans that is a thoroughgoing apology for reading Romans as addressed only to Gentiles and from within the "Paul within Judaism" perspective ... This commentary helpfully challenges many assumed readings of most commentators. Rethinking these matters leads readers to a clearer understanding of Paul and Romans." --Stone-Campbell Journal

"William S. Campbell brings a career of uncommon insight and careful investigation to this splendid commentary, the work of a patient and intrepid scholar. Close attention to Paul's argumentation allows us to see the fraught cultural and political context into which the apostle sought to intervene-a situation in which presumption and prejudice threatened to derail the Christ movement almost from the start. This is at once an indispensable historical and theological resource." --THE REV DR. NEIL ELLIOTT, USA

"This magisterial commentary frames the insights gained over the course of a long and distinguished career with the very latest in social identity theory and in Paul-within-Judaism interpretations. William S. Campbell opens up Paul's Letter to the Romans in new and exciting ways, enabling us to read Paul with fresh eyes, and with refreshed appreciation." --Paula Fredriksen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

"The debates [surrounding the commentaries on Romans] will no doubt continue - but are better informed because of Campbell's contribution." --Book of the Month, The Expository Times

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