The Historic Faith Commentary Series - Romans: How Romans Was Understood Before Augustine and Luther

by David Bercot

There are hundreds of commentaries on Romans in print today, and thousands have been written over the centuries. So what is the point of still one more commentary? The reason is that this is not “still one more commentary.” In this commentary, the reader will be seeing Romans through the eyes of the Christians who lived in the first few centuries after Romans was written. Some of these men personally knew the apostles. They all lived in the same culture in which Paul lived. Their native tongue was koiné Greek.

This commentary enables the reader to share the same experience that a Christian living in the first four centuries would have experienced when hearing Romans explained on a given Sunday. You will hear the same explanations they would have heard. As you will see, those early Christians understood Romans quite differently than what most Christians do today. That is because they lived prior to the two major reinterpretations of that of Augustine and that of Luther. After hearing the early Christian understanding of Romans, the readers can then decide whether they think the entire church got Romans wrong from the very beginning—or if Christians today are badly misreading this important book of Scripture.

Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2024

Reviews

[S. Runyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exceptional work by Bercot; perhaps his most comprehensive that I have read so far.

While I can never agree with any one person fully, as is the case with his understanding of Romans 15, I have to admit that largely elsewhere in the remaining chapters of the Book of Romans I do find myself in strong agreement with him.

There must be a fine line between being saved by faith and the works that flow from it that we are all missing, because the arguments made on both sides are simply too strong for one entire side to be fully incorrect while the other side shows holes in its arguments that beg to ask what is missing from their understanding. I believe only God will ever know until we, ourselves, are shown this truth directly from the One who is the Author of it.

In the end, I lean heavily toward the understanding that Bercot seems to share in all of his writings, which states, demonstrates, and decidedly proves that apostasy is real and salvation is conditional based upon the decisions we make in this life. While no one may pluck God's faithful from His hand, sometimes being faithful is a trend among some people that fades away, subjecting them to wrath just like anyone else who lives like there is no God.

I give Bercot 4 stars here because I believe he's earned it. This work is comprehensive and the arguments made strong. It is well thought out and cites precisely as he states he intends to do, which is to say that he references the Ante-Nicene thought from Ante-Nicene words.

[Christal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this commentary! I can't stress that enough. I read the entire thing from cover to cover because I wanted to know as much as possible about how the early Christians, in the first three centuries, viewed the book of Romans. It saddens me to learn how much ancient gnostic doctrine and Calvanism have in common. (Total depravity of man, lack of freewill, predestination, eternal security, etc...). The worst part is knowing that Calvanism is quickly becoming, "Orthodox Christianity" (At least in most Baptist and Presbyterian churches). That means real Christianity, that includes human accountability and personal holiness, is losing ground. Well, at least now I know that I'm not alone in my views against Calvanism. The early church, before Catholicism; St. Augustine of Hippo; Martin Luther; and John Calvin were anti-calvanist too. As an Arminian, this commentary was a breath of fresh air for me.
(Ps. If watching YouTube is more your speed, then check out David Bercot's Romans sermon series on there.)

[Peter McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book. It is great, truthful theology.

Like most Christians, I've read a library's worth of books over the decades. I'm often left wishing authors, no matter how well intentioned, are unwilling to communicate clearly on what the earliest church taught. David Bercot has done that extremely well in this book. He is fearless in showing how Augustine and Luther distorted the simple truths of scripture, so that today a correct, biblical understanding can result in a disciple being attacked as being theologically wrong, and at risk of God's condemnation. I'm afraid, too few people will read this book, and most will be less of a true disciple as a result. Get the book and read it - it will be worth the journey.