Prolegomena to understanding Romans 9:14-15

Abstract

"When a trained Neutestamentler dares to offer the scholarly community an interpretation of an OT text, some justification is in order. Having been called to take one of the NT chairs at the University of Munich after the untimely death of Leonhard Goppelt, Ferdinand Hahn gave his Antrittsvorlesung on November 5, 1976. In it he discussed the interrelationship of the theological disciplines. He argued—rightly, I think—that "theology does not allow itself to be divided up into different 'departments' (Filcher); within theological research there are mere- ly points of emphasis (Arbeitsschwerpunkte), which are closely intertwined." 1 The inference he draws from this is "the fundamental fact that the representative of one branch (Teildiziplin) of theology is responsible for the whole of theological work and accordingly must also have the right to join the discussion (Mitsprache- recht) of the other areas of research. Moreover the scholar will not be able mean- ingfully to perform the tasks of his own area of emphasis if, in the midst of all his specialization, he does not keep in view the problems of the other areas of empha- sis and continually regard them along with his own." 2 These observations are especially true with reference to the areas of OT and NT studies. Hence my ven- ture into OT exegesis"