Chris Tilling – Barth on Romans (Part 2)

Brian Tucker's 'Reading Romans After Supersessionism' collects research and perspectives that challenge supersessionist interpretations of Paul's Letter to the Romans. The book examines how Paul's language has been read in ways that displace the ongoing covenantal status of Israel, and it proposes interpretive alternatives that respect Jewish identity and Torah's continuing role. Contributors engage biblical, historical, and theological methods to rethink ecclesial claims that have marginalized Jewish particularity. The volume aims to correct historical and theological misunderstandings that have fostered supersessionist tendencies within Christian interpretation. It is significant for scholars interested in post-Holocaust theological ethics, Jewish–Christian relations, and Pauline studies.

Seth Herringer's 'Uniting History and Theology' contends that the historical-critical method's assumed neutrality is flawed and that a Christian account of history better serves theological interpretation. Herringer defends a two-leveled view of history that recognises scripture's ordering and connection while situating readers within the economy of salvation. He argues for rejecting strict scholarly neutrality and for appreciating the interconnectedness of past, present, and future in Christian historiography. The book engages recent historiographical developments and proposes methodological reforms for biblical studies. It is aimed at scholars seeking to reconcile historical scholarship with confessional commitments.

Roland Barthes' writings on history and historiography challenge claims to objective, neutral historical narrative, emphasising the constructed nature of historical discourse. In 'The Discourse of History' Barthes analyses how narrative strategies and ideological positions shape historical writing and the pretence of neutrality. His critique has influenced historiography and cultural studies by exposing hidden assumptions behind historical claims. Barthes argues that historians deploy rhetorical devices to present partial perspectives as universal, prompting readers to question supposed objectivity. The work remains influential for scholars interested in theory of history, narrative, and the politics of interpretation.

Darren Sureski's 'Reading the Bible Theologically' proposes an approach that integrates theological concerns with historical reading practices. Sureski argues for a 'proper view of historical distance' that recognises readers across history participate in a single economy of salvation, linking ancient and modern interpreters. The book aims to bridge the divide between purely historical-critical methods and confessional theological reading, suggesting that theological commitments can responsibly inform interpretation. It addresses methodological tensions and offers constructive guidance for scholars and pastors seeking a theologically attentive exegesis. The work contributes to debates about the relationship between history and theology in biblical studies.