Romans in Full Circle

This book provides a concise survey of the major theological changes associated with the book of Romans. This New Testament book has played an important role in the church's life from the period of the early church to the present day. Reasoner's study focuses on the history of Paul's letter and its interpretation, particularly through the works of Origen, Augustine, the medieval exegetes, Luther, and Karl Barth. Reasoner argues that by a circuitous route, western Christians in the 20th and 21st centuries are returning to reading Romans in ways very similar to Origen's concerns in the third century. This is the case on issues of the human will, sensitivity to Jews and Judaism within the divine economy, openness to the possibility of universalism, and a deconstructive reading of the obedience to government passage in Romans 13. This book will help today's readers of Romans situate themselves and their questions within the 2000 year history of conversations about Paul's letter.