This debate-book releases this week:
Jared M. Compton and Andrew David Naselli, eds. Three Views on Israel and the Church: Perspectives on Romans 9–11. Viewpoints. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2019.
You can preview the book with Amazon’s “Look inside” feature.
What This Debate-Book Is About
This book focuses broadly on how Romans 9–11 helps us understand Israel’s role in the Bible’s storyline and the nature of the people of God in that story. This book’s three main essays attempt to answer the following questions:
- What is the big idea in Romans 9–11? What is Paul trying to do? How does the passage function in Paul’s letter?
- Who is Israel? What role does Israel play? Why?
- What does Romans 9–11 imply for biblical theology? What does it imply about Israel’s role in biblical theology? How does it contribute to how we understand typology and the relationship between the covenants?
The debate-book features three views on Romans 9–11:
- A Non-Typological Future-Mass-Conversion View by Michael J. Vlach
- A Typological Future-Mass-Conversion View by Fred G. Zaspel and James M. Hamilton Jr.
- A Typological Non-Future-Mass-Conversion View by Benjamin L. Merkle
Endorsements
I’m grateful that the generous endorsements include my two favorite commentators on Romans—Doug Moo and Tom Schreiner.
“Everyone gains from respectful debate on a significant biblical issue. Open discussion, disagreement, and debate help to encourage and produce exegetical and theological accuracy. Compton and Naselli have brought together four qualified defenders of three different views regarding Israel and the church in Romans 9–11. Their irenic, though provocative, debate-style essays represent one side of the potentially wide range of views—all take the side maintaining a distinction between Israel and the church. This debate reminds us of the need to read apparent agreement with extreme care since points of strong disagreement may coexist alongside general agreement. Attention to detail must characterize both our exegesis and our communication of the theological implications of our exegesis. Evangelicals desiring greater food for thought regarding Romans 9–11 will find a feast in this volume.”
—William D. Barrick, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, The Master’s Seminary
“Rightly grasping how Scripture progresses, integrates, and climaxes in Christ demands properly understanding the relationship of Israel and the Church and how the New Testament authors used the Old Testament. Romans 9–11 is perhaps the most fundamental portion of Scripture for clarifying this relationship and process. Compton and Naselli’s volume models biblical theology done well––communal, text-based, Christ-exalting, and for the sake of the church. The authors are clear and cordial, and the editors’ introduction and concluding synthesis supply a welcome addition to multiple views books. I celebrate the publication of this volume.”
––Jason S. DeRouchie, Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology, Bethlehem College & Seminary; Elder, Bethlehem Baptist Church
“This book is not only an excellent contribution to the study of Romans 9–11, but it will serve those who are trying to wrestle through larger questions of biblical theology very well. Compton and Naselli have framed the discussion carefully (perhaps as well as any multiple-views book I’ve seen), and the writers engage the text and each other’s view frankly and fairly. A very helpful work!”
—David M. Doran, Senior Pastor, Inter-City Baptist Church, Allen Park, MI; President and Chairman of the Practical Theology Department, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary
“Complex arguments require careful listeners. Intricate structures demand attentive readers. Big-picture patterns call for synthesizing insights. Equivocal words necessitate skilled interpreters. And when arguments, structures, patterns, and words are hotly contested, then only humble and patient practitioners can help us. This excellent and timely book offers us all these things. It charts the complex, intricate, big-picture and equivocal terrain of Romans 9–11 in three different ways, and it allows each of the exponents to interact with the plausibility of the other readings carefully, attentively, and with synthesizing skill. Their humility and patience allow the reader to stare at the map of Scripture and discern the way ahead. Any study of Romans 9–11 in biblical theology will benefit from the riches and wisdom in this book.”
—David Gibson, minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland
“Rightly relating the church to Israel is a fundamental and wide-ranging theological and hermeneutical issue. This volume provides the most theologically rich entry point into the issue. It is clearly written, and the back-and-forth format allows the reader to weigh the arguments for each view.”
—Douglas J. Moo, Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College
“The different angles on Romans 9–11 presented here will help readers sharpen their own understanding of the biblical text. We are reminded in reading a book like this that our own arguments seem irrefutable until someone questions us. The authors don’t merely help us interpret Romans 9–11, but they also introduce us to crucial discussions on typology, prophecy, and biblical theology. This book is a valuable and important contribution to the debate over Romans 9–11.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Romans 9–11 is a superlative test of one’s biblical-theological mettle. These three chapters compel readers to articulate their understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments and between Israel and the church. Jared Compton and Andy Naselli have assembled a team of capable scholars who, by presenting their own views and by interacting with one another, help us to understand the important issues presented by Romans 9–11 with greater clarity. The editors’ introductory and concluding chapters commendably set, in clear relief, areas where the contributors agree and disagree. Although these essays are not the last word in the debate, they merit wide reading and thoughtful reflection.”
—Guy Waters, James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS
