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

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.