Reformation Commentary on Scripture: New Testament VIII: Romans 9–16 ed. by Philip D. W. Krey and Peter D. S. Krey (review)

Philip Krey is President and Professor Emeritus of Early and Medieval Church History at the The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Co-author of the Hebrews volume (2005) in the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series, his research has long focused on historic biblical interpretation. Peter Krey is a Lutheran pastor and professor, and co-editor of two other books with his brother Philip (The Catholic Luther, 2016; Luther's Spirituality, 2007). Their work in this eighth New Testament volume of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) offers an authentic and fascinating glimpse into sixteenth-century interpretive dialogue on what is the less famous half of Romans—but one that spotlights such critical issues as election, ethics, and civil authorities.

Like other RCS volumes, the commentary arranges excerpts from sixteenth-century preachers, scholars, and reformers into sections around designated portions of scripture. Each section presents the scripture passage, an overview of interpretive contributions, and the excerpts themselves (twenty-some, on average)—each with a heading as well as its source citation. Excerpts vary in length from a sentence to a full page. Contributors range from the well-known (e.g., Calvin) to the less so (e.g., David Joris, Peter Walpot). Where English translations are unavailable or unhelpful, original ones are offered. Footnotes throughout cite appropriately but also give helpful background. In the back are a map of sixteenth-century Europe, a timeline of the Reformation, and an extremely helpful glossary of Reformation-era figures and works.

The finest contribution of the RCS series is its concise, organized, and user-friendly arrangement of historic interpretive voices. Even more, this particular volume offers not only commentary on Romans 9–16, but representative reflections on key Reformation issues: election and predestination, Israel and the Gentiles, and the role of governing authorities. It is one thing to name reformers' positions, but quite another to see them side-by-side making sense of Israel's fate, Pauline ethics, and civic authority. The volume appropriately includes excerpts from major theological writings (e.g., Luther's "Bondage of the Will"), since sixteenth-century interpreters viewed exegesis, theology, and preaching as interconnected. Historic stereotypes about Jews are appropriately reflected, not flaunted. The editors prioritize major voices of the Protestant Reformation, but also include Roman Catholic loyalists (e.g., Juan de Valdés), Anabaptists (e.g., Dirk Philips), and influential writings (e.g., the Dordrecht Confession). Sometimes the selections feel a bit random: Tilemann Hesshus and David Pareus, for instance, receive as much space as Luther and Calvin—and far more than Melanchthon, Erasmus, and Zwingli. Amidst these varied selections, Krey and Krey's section overviews contribute a great deal by summarizing commonalities and contextualizing them.

Although most appealing to Protestants, interpreters of Romans, and students of the Reformation, the volume offers windows into historical exegesis that readers of all education levels and confessional stances will appreciate. Of course, a compendium of excerpts has limitations: each excerpt may arguably be read better in the context of its larger writing. But they cannot be read unless they are first known, accessible, and contextualized—something this volume achieves very well. As refined historians and translators, Krey and Krey choose selections judiciously, introduce the book and its sections with careful nuance, and finally offer an informed and authentic synopsis of Reformation-era exegesis on the latter half of Romans.