tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13840519.post3914048100615186512..comments2024-03-27T03:32:53.817-05:00Comments on Euangelion: James Dunn on the Reason for RomansMichael F. Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713482855679578651noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13840519.post-2137972300652246592010-01-14T17:36:31.675-06:002010-01-14T17:36:31.675-06:00I would agree, a number of scholars and a legion o...I would agree, a number of scholars and a legion of commentaries and journal articles have been written attempting to interpret Romans based on a supposed historical context in Rome. Doubtless it is the unmistakable Jewishness of the letter as well as its generality in terms of what he addresses that makes the question an intriguing one that refuses to submit to historical inquiry.<br /> Dunn's proposition is commendable in that he restrains himself from going too far down the speculative route and being general enough as to avoid major controversy. But in the end this assessment adds little new insight into the letter, Paul's motive for writing it, or its intended audience.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11974469496605003190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13840519.post-38662573078231656762010-01-14T09:59:04.716-06:002010-01-14T09:59:04.716-06:00Outside of an inductive reading of Romans Dunn is ...Outside of an inductive reading of Romans Dunn is speculating as much as anyone else. Perhaps from a more learned position, however, scholars can get their speculations wrong too, often spectacularly. Witness history.John Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03409722788388167914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13840519.post-45804015915276682952010-01-14T06:34:48.541-06:002010-01-14T06:34:48.541-06:00I'm a little surprised at Dunn's assessmen...I'm a little surprised at Dunn's assessment here. While working through Romans (and Cranfield) some years ago in Seminary, I became convinced that Romans was dealing with live issues at Rome - especially the tensions there between Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians. In this situation the more "objective", "broad picture" or circumspect approach taken by Paul in this letter is largely a function of the fact that he had not founded that particular community (but would, of course, be visiting sometime soon). This is quite a different perspective from what Dunn seems to be proposing here, even calling Romans a theological "exercise".<br /><br />But this is a wake-up call for me to think this through again. Besides, who am I anyway? I don't even know the esteemed J.D.G. Dunn as "Jimmy"!<br /><br />Thanks, Raypennoyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02292918042143591009noreply@blogger.com