1st Edition

A Shorter Commentary on Romans by Karl Barth With an Introductory Essay by Maico Michielin

By Maico M. Michielin Copyright 2007
    148 Pages
    by Routledge

    146 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1959, Karl Barth's A Shorter Commentary on Romans originated as the manuscript for a course of extra-mural lectures held in Basle during the winter of 1940-41. During this time, Barth continued to resist the Nazi regime and its influence on the Reformed Church as he did when he was in Bonn. This reissue of Barth's A Shorter Commentary on Romans links to the renewed interest today in a 'theological' interpretation of Scripture. In response to the modern preoccupation with what lies behind the text (the author's context), and to a postmodern preoccupation with what lies in front of the text (the reader's context), both theologians and biblical scholars are asking the following questions: 'What is the relationship between the biblical text, interpreter and God?' 'Can the Bible be read both as an historical document and as a text that speaks to us today, and if so, how can it do so?' Barth's commentarial practice as exemplified in A Shorter Commentary on Romans answers these questions. This book is presented in two parts: first, an introduction by Maico Michielin helping readers understand Barth's theological exegetical approach to interpreting Scripture and showing readers how to let Scripture address theological and ethical concerns for today; the main body of the book then follows - the republication of the original English translation by D.H. van Daalen of Barth's A Shorter Commentary on Romans.

    Contents: Exegesis that corresponds to God's activity; Preface; Introduction and summary; A Shorter Commentary on Romans: 1:1-17 The apostolic office and the Gospel; 1:18-3:20 The Gospel as God's condemnation of man; 3:21-4:25 The Gospel as the divine justification of those who believe; 5:1-21 The Gospel as man's reconciliation with God; 6:1-23 The Gospel as man's sanctification; 7:1-25 The Gospel as man's liberation; 8:1-39 The Gospel as the establishment of God's law; 9:1-11:36 The Gospel among the Jews; 12:1-15:13 The Gospel among the Christians; 15:14-16:27 The apostle and the Church; Index of scripture references.

    Biography

    Maico M. Michielin is a recent graduate of Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Canada (M.Div., Th.D., 2004). His dissertation addressed Karl Barth's exegetical practice in Epistle to the Philippians and A Shorter Commentary on Romans. He has been an Anglican priest in the Anglican Church of Canada for nine years and is presently the Rector of The Anglican Parish of Christ Church, Gananoque and Adjunct Professor of Theology at Trinity College, University of Toronto.

    ’This is a timely volume and one which is certainly well-worth careful attention.’ Theological Book Review ’... students of Barth will likely find the inclusion of footnotes in the commentary where Barth deals with the same passage in another text, mostly in the Church Dogmatics, helpful and instructive for comparing Barth's exegesis of Romans throughout his career... this reviewer is hopeful that the Shorter Commentary on Romans will be well-received this time around, not only by committed Barth admirers, but also by biblical scholars, pastors and church folk alike.’ Der Evangelische Theologie