Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God [Paperback]

J. R. Daniel Kirk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

If the God of Israel has acted to save his people through Christ, but Israel is not participating in that salvation, how then can this God be considered righteous? Unlocking Romans is an intriguing study of Pauls letter that is directed in large extent toward answering this question in order to illuminate the righteousness of God the book of Romans reveals. J. R. Daniel Kirk explains that this God is best understood not in abstractions, but in the particularity of Israels story. This story contextualizes the identity of God and the quality of Gods righteousness. The answer here, Kirk claims, comes mainly in terms of resurrection. Even if only the most obvious references in Romans are considered - and Kirk certainly delves more deeply than the obvious - the theme of resurrection still appears not only in every section of the letter, but also at climactic moments of Pauls argument. The network of connections among Jesus resurrection, Israels Scriptures, and redefining the people of God, serves to affirm Gods fidelity to Israel. This, in turn, demonstrates Pauls gospel message to be a witness to the revelation of the righteousness of God. Unlocking Romans is a clear and inviting theological study of what many consider the Bibles most theological book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080286290X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802862907
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,019,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the New Testament professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Northern California.

My theological interests swirl around the narrative dynamics of the New Testament writings. In particular, I'm captivated by the ways that the NT writers end up retelling the OT stories in order to write Jesus and their Christian communities into the story of Israel and Israel's God.

I recently published Jesus Have I Loved, but Paul? and before that, Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God. My work takes place at the intersection of history, narrative, and theology. Jesus Have I Loved but Paul ends up being something akin to a concise introduction to biblical theology and New Testament ethics.

When I'm not doing my nerdy professor thing, I read the likes of Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy, watch Coen Brothers movies, and strive to contribute to the quality of life of all my friends and followers through the composition of witty, snarky, and/or sarcastic Twitter and Facebook updates.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Resurrection Hermeneutics May 27, 2011

By Pilgrim

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It is refreshing that Kirk's rereading of Romans is not based on ideological criticism, so popular nowadays, but rather on a close reading of the text. Analyzing Romans through the lens of a theme found in every major section of the text he identifies what he sees as the "hermeneutical key" to the book - the resurrection of Jesus. So, his thesis reads, "In Romans, the resurrection of Jesus becomes Paul's key for demonstrating that the promises contained in the Scriptures have been fulfilled in the Christ event." Thus, "Resurrection is the most pervasive theme of the letter and it functions throughout as a hermeneutical key for reinterpreting the Scriptures and stories of Israel" (8).

Reading resurrection as the key to Romans addresses three major concerns of the letter. First, Kirk contends that it is because of the resurrection that Paul can read scripture the way he does. It has long been recognized that Paul's use of the OT is especially pervasive in Romans and, in Kirk's view; it is the resurrection that provides the lens through which Paul is reading the OT. Second, it is because of the resurrection that Paul can contend Gentiles are now included among the people of God. Third, Kirk wants to read Romans as concerned with theodicy. How can God be faithful to his covenant if the majority of Israel does not believe? Kirk, suggests, "Resurrection simultaneously provides the means for vindicating humanity and for vindicating God" (11). It is in resurrection that God can vindicate the righteous and thereby vindicate himself as just. Kirk's argument about resurrection, then, provides the key to Paul's hermeneutic, Gentile mission, and theodicy.

After introducing his argument (chapter 1), Kirk provides a very good and terse chapter on resurrection in Second Temple Judaism (chapter 2). Then each chapter is focused on showing how resurrection is an interpretive key to the passages where it appears in Romans (Rom 1.4, 16-17; 4.16-23; 5.9-10, 15-21; 6.1-23; 7.1-6; 8.1-39; 10.1-13; 11.13-15; 13.8-14; 14.1-12; and 15.12).

Kirk's last chapter provides a summary conclusion that focuses on some contemporary applications of Paul's resurrection hermeneutic. Not surprisingly, this chapter focuses on how Paul reads scripture, engages in a Gentile mission, and responds to the theological problem of evil (theodicy). It is a very clearly written chapter that ought to be required reading for undergraduates. It shows how resurrection shapes Paul's thought in Romans and its implications today.

"Unlocking Romans" is a revision of Kirk's doctoral dissertation "Resurrection in Romans: Reinterpreting Romans the Stories of Israel in Light of the Christ Event," which was overseen by the master of NT use of the OT, Richard B. Hays. In many ways Kirk follows Hays' impressive work on Paul's use of the OT. Some will find Kirk's inclusion of the Greek text intimidating. He also includes citations of German and French articles and commentaries which makes me think the audience is primarily academic.

Most undergraduate students would probably find Kirk's book difficult reading, so I am at a bit of a loss as to who I would recommend this book to other than those keenly interested in Pauline theology. I think it deserves recommendation but non-specialists will probably have a difficult time. If you're willing to do the work, however, it is a very rewarding argument for how significant resurrection is for understanding Paul's master epistle.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Viewing Romans from the empty tomb January 27, 2009

By Robert G. Leroe VINE™ VOICE

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Unlocking Romans shifts from the standard theme of righteousness and views it through the lens of resurrection...Christ's, and humankind's. Resurrection becomes the leitmotiv of Romans. In answering the question of how far the fatherhood of Abraham may extend, "The resurrection functions as Paul's hermeneutical key for reinterpreting the identity of the people of God" (83). Although Professor Kirk travels through the epistle, this is not a commentary but a critical analysis and a fresh perspective. Romans also serves as Paul's "theodicy project" in which God is vindicated as faithful to His promises to Israel. A must-read for those wishing to understand Paul and (what many consider) his most important epistle.

1 of 99 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Heresy July 16, 2010

By Momazing

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This book puts forth a heretical view that Jesus wasn't the Christ until he was raised from the dead. Of course. the non-heretical view is that he was the Christ from the time of his conception.