Freedom and Obligation: A Study of the Epistle to the Galatians
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300 - | The Truth of the Gospel: An Exposition
of Galatians Freedom and Obligation: A Study of the Epistle to the Galatians |
The Truth of the Gospel: An Exposition of Galatians
By Gerhard Ebeling
Philadelphia, Fortress, 1985. 288 Pp. $19.95.
Freedom and Obligation: A Study of the Epistle to the Galatians
By C. K. Barrett
Philadelphia, Westminster, 1985. 120 Pp. $8.95.
It is an interesting exercise to read side by side commentaries on the same book of the Bible by an eminent theologian and a prominent New Testament scholar. In this case, the theologian is Gerhard Ebeling; the New Testament scholar, C. K. Barrett.
What one expects and wants in a commentary by a systematic theologian is more reflection on the text and less nuts-and-bolts exegesis. Despite the disclaimer that he "cannot compete with professional exegetes," Ebeling sticks closely to his role as commentator. Moving pericope by pericope, he gives attention to form and syntax, traces meanings of Greek words (always using, rather annoyingly, not only Greek script and translation but also transliteration), follows the logic of Paul's argument, and only rarely takes a step back from the text to develop its theological implications. One wishes for more. When he does so, it is time to get out the pencil and underline.
For example, in two crisp paragraphs, Ebeling reflects on the significance of Paul's mention of the faith of Abraham and the way faith is reduced to a relationship to God. "Faith is comprehended in its purity only when it is not understood and judged on the basis of the concrete forms of human conduct it may assume from time to time, but rather when it is grasped in a kind of abstraction with reference in each instance to the fundamental prior encounter with God and the believer.... Of course, faith must take concrete form in human actions in specific situations and tasks. It does so quite of itself when it is true, living faith. But what faith actually accomplishes, what it can do, is not measurable in terms of human consequences and achievements."
Perhaps because the book was originally given as course lectures, it is marked by an unevenness. Like most professors, Ebeling lets the term run out before he completes the announced topic. In a book of 265 pages, only 25 are devoted to chapters five and six!
In contrast, Barrett presents five well-rounded lectures delivered originally in Australia and New Zealand. While the book is not technically a commentary and intends only to be a study of a theme, it succeeds in providing a walk through the entire six chapters. In an epilogue (not critically related to the argument of the book), Barrett appends a discussion of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 and the relation of canon to New Testament theology and dogmatics.
The theme addressed-freedom and obligation-offers a central focus to the lectures. Like Ebeling, Barrett stresses the radical character of divine grace to the point that one begins to wonder whether a discussion of ethics is at all possible. But then he offers a transition. "What we have to note now is that freedom from the law does not mean 'freedom to do as I like'; it means freedom from myself, freedom, that is, to be unselfish, freedom, that is, to live in love. It is not sufficient to say that Paul's theology of freedom is not inconsistent with an ethic of obligation; the two are bound up together."
There are no big surprises in Barrett's lectures. Historically, he follows a modification of F. C. Baur's understanding of Jew and Gentile relations and reads Paul's writing in relation to "a planned and concerted anti-Pauline movement." Theologically, he joins Ebeling in following closely in Luther's footsteps. As always, he is clear and concise.
Charles B. Cousar, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga.