Engaging Augustine on Romans: Self, Context, and Theology in Interpretation

(Paperback)

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Although Augustine's ideas about biblical interpretation developed with age and with his deeper church involvement as bishop of Hippo, he never abandoned the centrality of biblical interpretation as a pillar of the life of Christian faith. This collection, the latest volume in the series Romans Through History and Cultures, examines in detail the methods of Augustine, the biblical hermeneut. Paula Fredriksen explores the ways that Augustine uses a literal interpretation of the Bible to understand the role of Israel, Jews, and Judaism in his theology of history. Thomas F. Martin uses Augustine's later works to demonstrate how Augustine reads Romans as he develops his "method of discovery," or hermeneutics. Eugene TeSelle examines the inner conflict that Augustine expresses in his sermons on Romans 7 and 8. Simon Gathercole analyzes the ways that Augustine reads natural law and restored nature in Romans as a result of his conversion.John Riches looks at the impact Augustine's readings of Paul have had on Pauline critical studies. Using Galatians and Romans, Peter J. Gorday explores the patristic debate about reading Romans. Daniel Patte erects Augustine as a model for the practice of "scriptural criticism" of the New Testament. Finally, Krister Stendahl provides a response to the essays. About the series: Romans Through History and Cultures include a wealth of information about way Romans has been received throughout the history of the church and today. Volumes in this series explore the impact of Romans on theology, on cultural, political, social, and ecclesial life, and on gender relations. Daniel Patte is Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt University, and author of The Challenge to Discipleship (Trinity Press International) and Discipleship According to the Sermon on the Mount (Trinity Press International). Eugene TeSelle is Oberlin Alumni/ae Professor of Church History and Theology, Emeritus, Vanderbilt Divinity School, and the author of Augustine the Theologian.

Reviews

"What is novel here is that what is normally implicit is put up front. Working from this explication, the introduction provides a valuable tool for understanding patristic exegesis.... The notes are copious and well researched, and the book is well indexed, covering biblical and Augustinian citations and other ancient authors as well as modern." -Anglican Theological Review
"...impressively learned collection... The present excellent volume may perhaps inspire further studies of Augustine's Pauline exegesis, perhaps involving a comparison of Pelegius' Romans commentary, following on from Theodore de Bruyn In the meantime, we may be grateful to the contributors to this collection." -Gerald Bonner, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 55/3, July 2004
"This book contains pathbreaking essays that throw light both on Augustine's biblical hermeneutic and on Paul's letter to the Romans. While confirming Krister Stendahl's hunch that Augustine was an instigator of the problematic theory that Paul had an "introspective conscience," this book elaborates the many ways contemporary scholars can learn from the great church father. In the words of one of the editors, Augustine proves to be "an excellent reading companion" for current interpreters of Paul." -- Robert Jewett * Blurb from reviewer *
"This book brings together for the first time a number of important essays dealing with Augustine's interpretation of The Letter of Paul to the Romans. The distinguished authors have taken into account both Augustine's own reading of Paul and our understanding of that reading today in the light of a century's work on patristic exegesis. The result is a clear, authoritative volume, which will serve the needs of both students and advanced scholars."--Brian Stock, Professor of History and Literature, University of Toronto -- Brian Stock, * Blurb from reviewer *
"One of the unique features of this text is that all of the articles explore a 'tripolar' approach to Augustine's interpretations of Romans. The three poles can briefly be categorized as scriptural texts, the interpreter's horizon, and the interpreter's theological reasoning, beliefs, and practices. These three poles correspond to the analytical, hermeneutical, and contextual frames that the editors signal with a bold, capitalized A, C, or H throughout the volume. This textual feature is not just an interesting editorial feature but greatly enhances the value and usefulness of this book." -David P. Parris, Review of Biblical Literature * Blurb from reviewer *
"One of the unique features of this text is that all of the articles explore a tripolar' approach to Augustine's interpretations of Romans. The three poles can briefly be categorized as the scriptural text, the interpreter's horizon, and the interpreter's theological reasoning, beliefs, and practices. These three poles correspond to the analytical, hermeneutical, and contextual frames that the editors signal with a bold, capitalized A, C, or H throughout the volume. This textual feature is not just an interesting editorial feature but greatly enhances the value and usefulness of this book...The essays allow us to engage Augustine in a manner that helps us to grasp his interpretative moves and illuminate the interpretive processes and choices we make as well." -Review of Biblical Literature, 3/04 -- David P. Parris * Review of Biblical Literature *

Author Bio

Daniel Patte teaches at Vanderbilt University, is author of The Challenge of Discipleship (Trinty), Discipleship According to the Sermon on the Mount (Trinity), and an editor of Reading Israel in Romans: Legitimacy and Plausibility of Divergent Interpretations. Eugene TeSelle is Oberlin Alumni/ae Professor of Church History and Theology, Emeritus, Vanderbilt Divinity School.