It’s Craig Keener Week here at BBG! Or, more accurately, it’s Craig Keener-Related Link Week. CKRL Week, as the kids call it.
Anyway, a couple weeks ago Marcus at Seeking the Truth… (ellipsis original, though unexplained) posted a review of Keener’s (apparently) excellent commentary on Romans. In this review he refers to a table used to explain Keener’s understanding of Romans 7. Marcus wrote:
There he showed 10 statements from Romans 7:7-25 that would contradict what Paul says elsewhere if we were to understand them as referring to Paul’s present struggle with sin.
So, in the comments, I asked Marcus if he’d reproduce the chart for those of us unlucky enough not to own the book. He has kindly done so. I found it quite helpful, and now has me searching for an excuse to get Keener’s commentary.
Go check out Marcus’ post and see what you think. And while you’re at it, add his blog to your reader. Other than a couple oddities (he’s a Mets fan- no, seriously) and downright craziness (the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is only the 3rd biggest in sports? Puh-lease), it’s quite good.
Thanks for the kind words, Danny.
You’re right, I have never explained the ellipsis. I use it to express that the seeking is unfinished. I (and hopefully my readers) are still constantly seeking the truth.
I just finished translating this section of Romans and discussing the view put forth by Keener, Witherington and others that it is not (contrary to my Reformed pals’ view) a description of the normal Christian life. If anyone’s interested:
http://jmsmith.org/blog/romans-redux-chs-7b-8/
From one Bible (who used to be Boston-based!) geek to another,
JM
In fairness, there are a growing number of Reformed folks who are taking this view of Romans 7. In fact, Doug Moo has written what I think is the finest commentary on Romans out there, is quite Reformed (or Lutheran at points) and takes it. Marcus, whose post inspired this one, would classify himself as Reformed, I believe.
With that said, you’re right. It’s not necessarily the traditional Reformed view.
Yeah, I didn’t mean to say all Reformed folks read it as Paul’s present experience. Anthony Hoekema is as Reformed as one gets and he says this is not Paul’s present experience. I’m hoping more of my Reformed friends will follow suit and the traditional Augustinian/Lutheran interpretation will once and for all be consigned to the exegetical dustbin.