Romans: A Social Identity Commentary

William S. Campbell offers a comprehensive commentary on Romans, highlighting its contextuality as a letter to Rome and addressing issues of Jewish and gentile identity. He argues that Paul's guidance and teaching are formulated cautiously, but he is well-informed about the situation in Rome and addresses important issues. Campbell emphasizes the irrevocable calling of Israel and the identity of ethne in Christ, affirming the integrity of both identities for God's purpose revealed in Christ.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

William S. Campbell offers a thorough commentary on Paul's most difficult letter, emphasizing its contextuality as a letter to Rome. He employs social identity theory, historical, literary, and theological perspectives to provide a coherent reading of the entire letter. Despite Paul's lack of personal experience in Rome and his not being the founder of the Christ-movement there, Campbell argues that his guidance and teaching are more cautious than in his other letters. However, the long list of people with previous connections to him and his mission to the 'gentiles' indicates that Paul is well-informed about the situation in Rome and addresses issues that have arisen. With Christ the Messianic Time has begun, but there was some lack of clarity in Rome about the implications of this for Jews and gentiles. Campbell emphasizes that Paul affirms the irrevocable calling of Israel and that the identity of 'ethne' in Christ is also called alongside the people Israel, thus affirming the integrity of both identities as indispensable for God's purpose now revealed in Christ. Campbell demonstrates how Paul achieves this through the social and theological intertwining of the gospel message.

Weight: 878g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567669421