Roman Studies Research Articles

No One Seeks for God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 1:18-3:20

No One Seeks for God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans I:18-3:20, by Richard H. Bell. WUNT 106. Tubingen: Mohr-Siebeck,1998. Pp. xiv + 359. DM 158.00. This is a valiant, learned, detailed, and well-organized, but unconvincing attempt to read Romans in terms of Lutheran exegetical traditions and dogmatics. Bell describes the work as both scientific and confessional (p. ix), but he never appears to consider the possibility that the two might conflict. Bell recognizes that 1:18-3:20 is difficult for a traditional Lutheran reading and tries to overcome the problems. Because the work refers readers to the author's earlier book on chapters 9-11 (Provoked to Jealousy [1994]) for introductory issues, one often has the sense of entering a discussion in the middle. To this reviewer, readings often seemed to be at least partly worked out on the basis of abstract theological axioms or apologetic concerns. Bell makes frequent appeals to Paul's mind that lies behind the text and that he treats as the key to its meaning. The book will prove especially valuable for those interested in the exegetical underpinnings of German Lutheran theology. Bell shows his deep knowledge of German scholarship in this tradition and explicitly favors older work on the NT rather than more recent scholarship that is under the tyranny of novelty (p. viii). The book reads as if most of the English-speaking scholarship (except for evangelical) since the eclipse of the Bultmannian school had never appeared. Bell begins with a useful introduction that discusses major structural and theological problems that are of concern to him. The section also serves to dismiss readings such as those, for example, of Jouette Bassler and others on God's impartiality that might dethrone a sole emphasis on justification by faith alone and Bola gratis. The approach of predetermining the letter's theme is very highly circular. Chapter 2 discusses 1:182 and chapter 3 treats issues arising from the section-the relation to Greek philosophy, Hellenistic Judaism, apocalyptic and wisdom, natural revelation and theology, and the Jewish and Pauline views of the fall. Similarly, chapter 4 contains six excursuses (including one on rabbinic views of the law revealed to Gentiles and another on natural law in Greek philosophy and in Judaism). Chapters follow on 2:17-38 and 3:9-20, and there is a Concluding Discussion. The book's title, No One Seeks for God (3:11), signals Bell's overriding implicit principle for reading 1:18-3:20. Romans 3:9-20 unquestionably teaches an AugustinianLutheran doctrine of the fall, and any texts that seem to provide evidence for another view must be reinterpreted in light of this doctrine. He describes 1:18-3:20 as a history of Damnation, a Verdammnisgeschichte (p. 90). The-book pays no attention to the way that the letter explicitly constructs its audience as Gentile and assumes an audience of Jews and Gentiles. Statements about sin and salvation are treated as if they describe ontological essences. The letter defends Paul's doctrine of justification against charges brought by Jewish Christians. Bell places an enormous emphasis on Adam in 1:18-32 based on highly debatable, supposed allusions to Genesis and the supposition of a general Jewish doctrine of the Adamic fall. The latter is particularly strange seeing that Bell knows the work of John R. Levison, which has demonstrated the baselessness of that view. He also claims that believed in the fall of Israel. Here he appeals to a supposed allusion to the golden calf episode in 1:23. How the audience in Rome might have heard such an astoundingly subtle allusion, much less have derived a teaching about Israel's fall is never faced. According to Bell, Jews, like Gentiles, have lost the image and knowledge of God due to this fall: Paul believes that not only are the Gentiles like beasts; Jews also have become like animals (p. 131). One also finds extensive discussion of natural revelation and theology. …

New Books on Roman Studies

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Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1998–9

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1998–9

New Books on Roman Studies

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Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1997–1998

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1997–1998

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1997–8

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1997–8

The Idea of Indigenous People

Malgre les nombreux changements de la pratique anthropologique depuis une cinquantaine d'annees, notamment une amplitude des objets de recherche, les societes dites traditionnelles, primitives, orales, simples font toujours l'objet de l'interet privilegie des ethnologues. Si la terminologie utilisee pour designer ces societes a ete modifiee au cours du temps (afin de s'eloigner, entre autres, des theories evolutionnistes), les definitions restent encore imprecises, en particulier celle de tribu. L'expression peuple autochtone, utilisee depuis peu, laisse apparaitre une idee de morale et d'ethique mais ne peut s'appliquer qu'a des contextes particuliers, a l'instar de la notion de tribu, et peut alimenter des ideologies diverses qui pronent les liens du sang et de la terre et pour lesquelles les ethnologues ne mesurent peut-etre pas les utuilisations ambivalentes.

In Situ Roman Studies of Graphite Surface Structures during Lithium Electrochemical Intercalation

Surface structural changes were investigated using in situ Raman microspectroscopy during lithium intercalation into Lonza KS‐44 and KS‐6 graphite materials in solutions of ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) or EC/1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME). In the 1 M EC/DMC solution, the Raman spectral changes indicate that graphite undergoes a series of transitions during the electrochemical lithium intercalation process from initial formation of the dilute stage 1 GIC (graphite intercalation compound) to a stage 4 GIC, then through a stage 3 to stage 2 and finally to a stage 1 GIC. The reversibility of the Raman spectral changes indicates that the top layers of the graphite are not damaged during the first charge and discharge cycle. Intercalation‐induced strain causes the E2g2 (i) mode of the unbound graphite layers to shift toward lower frequency in the stage 4 and stage 3 GICs. In the 1 M EC/DME solution, the Raman spectra changed dramatically in the high‐potential range (0.9–0.5 V) during the discharge and charge processes, indicating that the graphite surface structure is altered even at the high potentials where major lithium intercalation is not expected to occur. Irreversible spectral changes in the E2g2 band shoulders suggest that the surface structural changes are also irreversible. Raman spectral changes of the E2g2 band in the potential range 0.9–0.5 V are attributed to extensive surface graphite exfoliation caused by solvent cointercalation with lithium ions. This is in accordance with the large irreversible capacity consumption in the potential range 0.9–0.5 V observed during the first discharge process. In the low‐potential range, the Raman spectral changes of the graphite in EC/DME solutions are similar to those in EC/DMC solution.

New Books on Roman Studies

New Books on Roman Studies

Roman Inscriptions 1991–95

This survey is intended primarily to assess the impact on Roman studies in general of recent work in Roman epigraphy — whether newly published inscriptions, revised editions, or texts that have been reconsidered or newly analysed in the light of specific themes. We mean to draw attention to those epigraphic studies that make a significant contribution, in particular, to Roman history. Hence the considerable space we devote below to the newly publishedSenatus Consultumon Cnaeus Piso, of which any future study of the reign of Tiberius (or of the relations between senate and emperor in the early Principate) will have to take account. Other highlights include a centurion's own reflections (in verse) on his unit's building works at Bu-Njem in Tripolitania; a major revision of the inscribed texts of Roman laws; the first known letter of Lucullus; and a new text from Messene orchestrating the city's responses to the death of Augustus. At the same time, in this introduction, we note one or two developments in recent epigraphic practice. Though these aspects are necessarily more technical, we include them in order to help readers to find the epigraphic data they might need (publication is increasingly diverse, and in an ever wider range of media); and then to assess the texts, the dates, and the conclusions the epigraphists are offering. ‘What you get’ in epigraphy is not necessarily ‘what you see’.

Roman Inscriptions 1991–95

This survey is intended primarily to assess the impact on Roman studies in general of recent work in Roman epigraphy — whether newly published inscriptions, revised editions, or texts that have been reconsidered or newly analysed in the light of specific themes. We mean to draw attention to those epigraphic studies that make a significant contribution, in particular, to Roman history. Hence the considerable space we devote below to the newly published Senatus Consultum on Cnaeus Piso, of which any future study of the reign of Tiberius (or of the relations between senate and emperor in the early Principate) will have to take account. Other highlights include a centurion's own reflections (in verse) on his unit's building works at Bu-Njem in Tripolitania; a major revision of the inscribed texts of Roman laws; the first known letter of Lucullus; and a new text from Messene orchestrating the city's responses to the death of Augustus. At the same time, in this introduction, we note one or two developments in recent epigraphic practice. Though these aspects are necessarily more technical, we include them in order to help readers to find the epigraphic data they might need (publication is increasingly diverse, and in an ever wider range of media); and then to assess the texts, the dates, and the conclusions the epigraphists are offering. ‘What you get’ in epigraphy is not necessarily ‘what you see’.

A. Poulter, Nicopolis ad Istrum: a Roman, Late Roman and Early Byzantine City. Excavations 1985–1992 (Journal of Roman Studies Monograph 8). London: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1995. Pp. xxvii + 331, 45 pls, 118 figs, ISBN 0-907764-20-7. £42.00.

The remarkable preservation of this Bulgarian site and the comprehensive nature of the British research programme provide a unique insight into the physical, economic and environmental history of a Roman city from the early 2nd to the late 6th century AD. This volume gives an account of the excavations, geophysical surveys, and coins, epigraphic finds and Severan frescoes. It summarises the environmental programme, small-finds, and architectural and ceramic material and assesses their implications for the city in its regional context and its relations with other parts of the Roman Empire.

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1996–7

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"The Sainted Julius": Valerius Maximus and the Dictator

Previous articleNext article No Access"The Sainted Julius": Valerius Maximus and the DictatorD. WardleD. Wardle Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Classical Philology Volume 92, Number 4Oct., 1997 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/449362 Views: 22Total views on this site Citations: 4Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1997 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Eleanor Cowan Contesting Clementia: the Rhetoric of Severitas in Tiberian Rome before and after the Trial of Clutorius Priscus, Journal of Roman Studies 106 (Aug 2016): 77–101.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0075435816000605 Preface and Acknowledgements, (May 2005): v–viii.https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199262120.001.0001.002.004 Abbreviations, (May 2005): xv–xvi.https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199262120.001.0001.002.008 Notes on Contributors, (May 2005): xi–xii.https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199262120.001.0001.002.006

New Books on Roman Studies

New Books on Roman Studies

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1995–6

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1995–6

In situ Roman Study of Electrochemical Lithium Insertion into Mesocarbon Microbeads Heat‐Treated at Various Temperatures

In situ Raman spectra were measured to elucidate the electrochemical lithium insertion mechanism of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs) heat‐treated at 700 to 2800°C. The spectral changes of the Raman E2g2 band of MCMBs heat‐treated at 2800°C showed that the lithium insertion mechanism into the microbeads is similar to that into graphite via the formation of staged graphite intercalation compounds, although a clear phase transition from dilute stage 1 to stage 4 was not observed. For MCMBs heat‐treated at 1800 and 1000°C the E2g2 band shifted downward and upward upon charging and discharging, respectively. No discontinuous change suggesting the formation of staged phases was observed, which indicated that lithium is inserted randomly between graphene layers without the formation of staged phases. The charge and discharge profile of MCMBs heat‐treated at 700°C showed a large hysteresis. A potential plateau appeared at about 1 V on the discharge curve, which led to a high capacity of 710 mAh/g. In the case of MCMBs heat‐treated at 700°C, the peak wave number of the E2g2 band did not shift at all in the whole potential range during charging and discharging. It was considered that the plateau region of MCMBs heat‐treated at 700°C giving the high discharge capacity originates not from lithium species inserted between organized graphene layers, but from lithium doped into regions without organized graphitic structure.

The Justification of the Gentiles: Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Romans

Utilizing the tools and resources of a text-linguistic, semiotic method, Emory University professor Hendrikus Boers seeks to open new windows for understanding the apostle Paul based not simply on what Paul says which on the surface appears conflicting of contradictory but on what Paul means. In other words, The primary question in the interpretation of Paul is not whether his statements are true, but what he means by them (from the preface). Boer's innovative approach allows the reader to construct a framework, or macro-structure, for understanding Paul in Romans and Galatians. Some rewards of this approach include finding a new center for reading these works. Thus their central concern is not justification by faith, which through this method is shown not to deserve pride of place in Pauline theology, but the deep significance of the Christ event that secures the promise and blessing of Abraham for Jew and Gentile alike.Hendrikus Boers' work makes an essential contribution to the critical study of Romans and Galatians by elucidating a significant dimension of these epistles which is totally ignored by biblical scholarship. His detailed study of the macrostructures of these epistles and of the semantic deep structures of Paul's thought convincingly shows that Paul does not resolve the tension between the existential and the social, between justification by faith and justification through works of the law; Paul keeps them in tension rather than views them as opposed to each other, in order to reject all the more strongly any claim of religious privilege . . . by the Jews. This anti-Jewish message is conveyed by Paul's letters. When it is ignored, as it traditionally is, this message nevertheless haunts readers and feeds anti-Semitism. When this message is brought to the surface, as Boers does in his remarkable study, it becomes clear that, in the present situation, it is directed against us European-American Christians for our own claims of religious privilege. Daniel Patte, Vanderbilt Universit

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1994–5

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1994–5

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1994–95

Proceedings of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 1994–95