I started preaching through Paul's letter to the Romans a couple of weeks ago. Thought it would be helpful to list resources/commentaries I'm using. I listed them roughly in the order of how much time I give each volume. I'm not even coming close to reading everything listed, of course. Some only get a brief glance as I need another opinion. But here's what I have and what I'll use during this series.
Most essential...
- Romans | Thomas Schreiner (BECNT)
- Teaching Romans Vol 1 & Vol 2 | Christopher Ash (Proclamation Trust Media)
- The Message of Romans | John Stott (Bible Speaks Today)
- Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Romans
- Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ | Thomas Schreiner
- New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ | Thomas Schreiner
- Paul: An Outline of His Theology | Herman Ridderbos
As needed and occasional...
- The Epistle to the Romans | Douglas Moo (NICNT)
- The Epistle to the Romans | Leon Morris (PNTC)
- The Epistle to the Romans | John Murray
- Romans: Righteousness from Heaven | Kent Hughes (Preaching the Word)
- Romans | Charles Hodge (Banner | Geneva Series)
- Romans | FF Bruce (TNTC)
- Romans | Robert Mounce (NAC)
Devotional...
- A Passion for God: Prayers and Meditations on the Book of Romans | Raymond Ortlund, Jr
When applicable...
What are some of the reasons for Schreiner’s as essential, and Moo’s for occasional? The reason I ask is that I normally hear people talking about Moo’s being the best, so just wondering?
Posted by: Nate | 05/25/2011 at 10:19 AM
Nate, a few reasons.
1. I had Schreiner in seminary. He's brilliant. He's a friend. I know his approach to Scripture. I've heard him teach on Romans in class. I remember being in class when he talked about wrestling with different passages and writing the commentary.
2. It's newer than Moo, so it takes Moo seriously yet offers commentary post-Moo and in light of Moo.
3. Moo and Schreiner are close enough theologically and exegetically that I'm not interested in reading both in full, especially when I have a few other resources to look at.
All that said, I've used Moo's a number of times and will reference it regularly for the series. I like it.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 05/25/2011 at 05:17 PM
I also took Rom. Exeg. from Schreiner. It was a good class, but not challenging enough. I am now working through Romans again, and am reading Moo this time through. I find him to be very disappointing: he often gives more reasons and presents better arguments for the views that he opposes, and so I am left scratching my head as to why he doesn't accept them. I remember Schreiner's being much better.
I don't understand your reason three for not reading Moo though; everything on your list is conservative evangelical reformational reading of Romans. Why not Wright's commentary in the NIB? His reflections at the end of each section is not only more insightful, but also more relevant than I've seen in any commentary on any book. His approach to Romans will also challenge the presuppositions of Romans that seems to come from your background and those of whom you are reading. If not Wright, what about Dunn or Longenecker's recent intro to Romans or even Jewett's commentary which reads Romans in light of the mission to Spain.
Posted by: Jacob | 05/29/2011 at 09:18 AM
I reference other books not listed for some insights from other perspectives. Wright's 3 vol is an example. I often check with systematics from other perspectives as well. But I spend a limited time on my sermon prep and spend most of that time reading the text and reading from those I've come to trust.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 05/31/2011 at 11:21 AM