Word Biblical Commentary: Volume 38A, Romans 1-8

Rating:
Summary: A reference book for any serious student of the N.T.
Review: Commentaries are written with a variety of audiences in mind. Some are pitched at a "popular" level; they are accessible to Christians who do not have a degree in theology (and they may not be very helpful, since they tend to rehearse familiar ideas). Some are a little meatier, intended to aid preachers in sermon preparation. And some are written at an academic level; they debate the positions of other scholars.

The Word Biblical Commentary series tries to address both of the latter two audiences. The commentaries provide assistance to scholars, preachers, and other serious students of the Bible.

Word imposes a rigid format. Authors must begin each passage with a bibliography, followed by a translation with notes on the Greek manuscripts. Next there is a "form and structure" section which discusses grammatical and thematic links with other passages and calls attention to the literary techniques employed by the biblical author. Next there is a "comment" section which is quite detailed, allowing some room for interaction with other scholars. Finally there is an "explanation" section, which summarizes the message of the text without repeating all the technical details.

Word's format inevitably introduces some repetition. For busy preachers, the trick is to zero in on the explanation section. Preachers will value the other sections of the commentary when there is a theological or textual problem which merits closer examination.

Dunn's commentary succeeds brilliantly at both levels. Dunn is a leading authority in Pauline studies. His "new perspective on Paul" builds on the work of E. P. Sanders and has attracted the attention of scholars including N. T. Wright. He is bound to have his academic audience in mind at points in a commentary on Romans.

But Dunn also put a great deal of thought into the explanation section of this work. He describes his approach in the author's preface. When he began to write, he concentrated on the explanation section of chapters 1-11 for two years. During that time, he restricted himself to only a few technical aids, in order to maintain a focus on the broad message of Romans rather than the technical details primarily of interest to scholars.

The result is a reference book that any serious student of the New Testament will find helpful. Many readers will read only the explanation section most of the time. But the Word commentaries are relatively inexpensive, so Dunn's two volumes on Romans are still good value for the money.

Rating:
Summary: A reference book for any serious student of the N.T.
Review: Commentaries are written with a variety of audiences in mind. Some are pitched at a "popular" level; they are accessible to Christians who do not have a degree in theology (and they may not be very helpful, since they tend to rehearse familiar ideas). Some are a little meatier, intended to aid preachers in sermon preparation. And some are written at an academic level; they debate the positions of other scholars.

The Word Biblical Commentary series tries to address both of the latter two audiences. The commentaries provide assistance to scholars, preachers, and other serious students of the Bible.

Word imposes a rigid format. Authors must begin each passage with a bibliography, followed by a translation with notes on the Greek manuscripts. Next there is a "form and structure" section which discusses grammatical and thematic links with other passages and calls attention to the literary techniques employed by the biblical author. Next there is a "comment" section which is quite detailed, allowing some room for interaction with other scholars. Finally there is an "explanation" section, which summarizes the message of the text without repeating all the technical details.

Word's format inevitably introduces some repetition. For busy preachers, the trick is to zero in on the explanation section. Preachers will value the other sections of the commentary when there is a theological or textual problem which merits closer examination.

Dunn's commentary succeeds brilliantly at both levels. Dunn is a leading authority in Pauline studies. His "new perspective on Paul" builds on the work of E. P. Sanders and has attracted the attention of scholars including N. T. Wright. He is bound to have his academic audience in mind at points in a commentary on Romans.

But Dunn also put a great deal of thought into the explanation section of this work. He describes his approach in the author's preface. When he began to write, he concentrated on the explanation section of chapters 1-11 for two years. During that time, he restricted himself to only a few technical aids, in order to maintain a focus on the broad message of Romans rather than the technical details primarily of interest to scholars.

The result is a reference book that any serious student of the New Testament will find helpful. Many readers will read only the explanation section most of the time. But the Word commentaries are relatively inexpensive, so Dunn's two volumes on Romans are still good value for the money.

Rating:
Summary: Too long even for a commentary on Romans
Review: I have been an avid reader of James Dunn ever since I first picked up his classic work on the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. This commentary, however, which focuses on St. Paul's relationship to the Law, is possibly his least rewarding publication. In it Dunn asserts that Paul did not reject "legalism" or "works righteousness" (a view first suggested by Augustine and perfected in Luther) but a narrow view of "covenantal nomism" (W.D. Davies). For Dunn, Paul objects not to Judaism per se but to one type of Judaism (THEIRS) based on another type (HIS). Dunn's position is a modification of E. P. Sanders, who is probably the finest Pauline scholar of the last fifty years.

At times, the insights are compelling, but at other times, disappointing. Dunn reduces the implied conflicts of Paul in Romans by denying the grounds upon which the conflicts are based. A conflict presupposes a common basis on which to fight and a common point of departure. Dunn has given a common basis as "covenantal nomism" (a phrase he dislikes but uses indiscriminately and inconsistently), but fails to explain what the point of departure is supposed to be.

The greatest flaw in this massive commentary is its unnecessary length. In my view, it would have been a far better idea for Dunn to cut out some of his verbosity and to make this a one-volume work. Having said that, the strength of the commentary lies in the "comment" sections where Dunn provides plenty gold nuggets for preachers.

Rating:
Summary: Too long even for a commentary on Romans
Review: I have been an avid reader of James Dunn ever since I picked up his classic work on the "Baptism with the Holy Spirit". This commentary, however, which focuses on Paul's relationship to the Law, is possibly his least rewarding publication. In it Dunn asserts that Paul did not reject "legalism" or "works righteousness" (a view first suggested by Augustine and perfected in Luther) but a narrow view of "covenantal nomism" (W.D. Davies). For Dunn, Paul objects not to Judaism per se but to one type of Judaism (THEIRS) based on another type (HIS). Dunn's position is a modification of E. P. Sanders, who is probably the finest Pauline scholar of the last fifty years. At times, the insights are compelling, but at other times, disappointing. Dunn reduces the implied conflicts of Paul in Romans by denying the grounds upon which the conflicts are based. A conflict presupposes a common basis on which to fight and a common point of departure. Dunn has given a common basis as "covenantal nomism" (a phrase he dislikes but uses indiscriminately and inconsistently), but fails to explain what the point of departure is supposed to be. The greatest flaw in this massive commentary is its unnecessary length. In my view, it would have been a far better idea for Dunn to cut out some of his verbosity and to make this a one-volume work. Having said that, the strength of the commentary lies in the "comment" sections where Dunn provides plenty gold nuggets for preachers.