Regent Review of Mike Bird’s Romans Commentary

Regent Review of Mike Bird’s Romans Commentary April 28, 2016

I confess that I blushed when I read Jim Gordon’s generous review of my Romans commentary forthe SGBC series in the Regent’s Park College Review (a Baptist College in Oxford). Here’s my favourite paragraphs (forgive the shameless self-promotion):

The exegesis is readable. This is not a banal or fatuous comment. A major strength of Bird’s writing is its readability. Without sacrificing depth or complexity in his exegesis, Bird genuinely wrestles with the next stage of bringing this text into our time and place as a relevant and disruptive word from God. That doesn’t mean I always agreed with the move from exegesis to application. On the issue of same sex relationships Bird does his best to be both traditional and pastorally sensitive but in the end I doubt if either side in this debate will be satisfied – but they will have been made to face the scandal of the text and the pressures of contemporary church life.

On chapters 9-11 Bird is at his best; this is a mature, careful and serious piece of exegetical diplomacy, and diplomacy not in the sense of inconclusive niceties, but in the sense of one fully aware of the sensitivities of speaking truth that will change the way we think of ourselves and others from now on. 16 ‘These three chapters form an olive grove chapel, bidding Christians to pray to God through the Messiah because of Israel and for Israel….God’s saving righteousness is for everyone, not despite Israel but precisely because of Israel.’ (304-5)

This is an enjoyable commentary to use. I wouldn’t want it to be the only commentary on Romans I used; some of those mentioned at the start of this review have equal claim to be read and consulted. But it is a commentary written by someone immersed in current Pauline studies, in conversation with the significant voices in contemporary NT scholarship, and written with verve and a spirited enjoyment. I still want Cranfield, Dunn, Fitzmyer and Wright at least – but Bird brings an unmistakable sense of excitement, even fun, to the hard work of exegesis on its way to exposition which aims at performative responsiveness to Paul’s greatest letter.

Jim, if I ever make it back to Aberdeen, the whisky and haggis is one me!


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