Galatians

By G. Walter Hansen

Book Overview

"Wherever ethnic rivalries are destroying societies, the book of Galatians calls Christians to express the truth of the gospel in communities where there are no ethnic or social or gender divisions." With this strong admonition, Walter Hansen introduces his IVP New Testament Commentary on Galatians.Unlike many other commentaries, Hansen's volume highlights not only the individual dimensions of justification by faith but also its social implications. But like all the volumes in the IVP New Testament Commentary Series, it seeks to explicate the Scriptures with historical accuracy and textual faithfulness, providing helpful explanatory notes and a passage-by-passage commentary in a user-friendly format.But Hansen strives to do even more. With a pastor's conviction and concern, he aims to move from the text itself to its contemporary relevance and application. His bold, careful interpretation challenges students and teachers of this important Pauline letter to move beyond merely the question "How can I, a sinner, be right before a just and holy God?" and to find in Galatians a healing word addressed to the ongoing tensions of race, class and gender--a word worked out in the life of the whole church."If a church does not defend in practice the equality and unity of all in Christ," writes Hansen, "it implicitly communicates that justification is not by faith but by race, social status or some other standard. Faith must not be defined in individualistic terms; faith as Paul defines it . . . is 'faith working through love.'"Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand the transforming message of Galatians for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 083081809X
• ISBN13: 9780830818099
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

wonderful

Recently I preached/taught through Galatians and was shocked to find that this commentary was more useful to me than some of the more exegetical and academic tomes. By this I mean not only was it helpful for preaching and application, but Hansen often provided more insight into the context and gave a more theologically reasoned interpretation to this admittedly difficult letter. I recommend this commentary to the lay person, pastor, and academics.

Great

This book is fearless and readable. It takes on some difficult theological issues without being strident. You come away with an appreciation of Paul's ferver in protecting the early church from the effects of racial and national elitism. There is no hesitation in saying that the law is temporal and that the Spirit is the force for a Christian's moral direction. Christians overcome their sin through faith in what God has accomplished through Christ's death, burial, and resurection.