Karl Barth's commentary on Paul's epistle to the Romans, in its two editions (1919 and 1922), is one of the most significant works published in Christian theology in the 20th century. This book, which landed "like a bombshell on the theologians' playground," still deserves close scrutiny one hundred years after its publication. In this volume, New Testament scholars, philosophers of religion and systematic theologians ponder the intricacies of Barth's "expressionistic" commentary, pointing out the ways in which Barth interprets Paul's epistle for his own day, how this actualized interpretation of the apostle's message challenged the theology of Barth's time, and how some of the insights he articulated in 1919 and in 1922 have shaped Christian theology up to our day. With his commentary, the young Swiss pastor paved the way for a renewed, intensely theological interpretation of the Scriptures. The volume thus centers of some of the key themes which run through Barth's commentary: faith as divine gift beyond any human experience or psychological data, the Easter event as the turning point of the world's history, God's judgment and mercy and God's one Word in Jesus Christ. This volume represents a major contribution to the interpretation of Karl Barth's early thought.

The volume deals with interpretations of Paul, his person and his letters, in various early Christian writings. Some of those, written in the name of Paul, became part of the New Testament, others are included among "Ancient Christian Apocrypha", still others belong to the collection called "The Apostolic Fathers". Impacts of Paul are also discernible in early collections of his letters which became an important part of the New Testament canon. This process, resulting in the "canonical Paul", is also considered in this collection.

The volume deals with interpretations of Paul, his person and his letters, in various early Christian writings. Some of those, written in the name of Paul, became part of the New Testament, others are included among "Ancient Christian Apocrypha", still others belong to the collection called "The Apostolic Fathers". Impacts of Paul are also discernible in early collections of his letters which became an important part of the New Testament canon. This process, resulting in the "canonical Paul", is also considered in this collection.

Modern science informs us about the end of the universe: "game over" is the message which lies ahead of our world. Christian theology, on the other hand, sees in the end not the cessation of all life, but rather an invitation to play again, in God's presence. Is there a way to articulate together such vastly different claims? Eschatology is a theological topic which merits being considered from several different angles. This book seeks to do this by gathering contributions from esteemed and fresh voices from the fields of biblical exegesis, history, systematic theology, philosophy, and ethics. How can we make sense, today, of Jesus' (and the New Testament's) eschatological message? How did he, his early disciples, and the Christian tradition, envision the "end" of the world? Is there a way for us to articulate together what modern science tells us about the end of the universe with the biblical and Christian claims about God who judges and who will wipe every tear? Eschatology has been at the heart of Christian theology for 100 years in the West. What should we do with this legacy? Are there ways to move our reflection forward, in our century? Scholars and other interested readers will find here a wealth of insights.

Die vorliegende dreisprachige Festschrift zu Ehren von Jean Zumstein umfasst 24 Studien zum Matthaus- und Johannesevangelium, zwei wichtigen Arbeitsfeldern des Zurcher Exegeten. Die Beitrage - neuere literaturwissenschaftliche Ansatze sind darin ebenso zu finden wie Arbeiten mit hermeneutischer und rezeptionsgeschichtlicher Ausrichtung - spiegeln aufs Beste das Anliegen Jean Zumsteins wider, in grosser methodischer Offenheit sorgfaltige Interpretationen der biblischen Texte mit theologischem Tiefgang zu verbinden. Les melanges trilingues en l'honneur de Jean Zumstein comprennent 24 etudes sur les evangiles de Matthieu et de Jean, deux des champs de recherche de predilection de l'exegete zurichois. Les contributions, qui font appel tant aux avancees recentes des sciences du langage qu'a des approches orientees par l'hermeneutique et l'histoire de la reception, refletent au mieux le souci qu'a Jean Zumstein de fournir des interpretations precises des textes bibliques permettant de saisir leur profondeur theologique, tout en preservant une grande ouverture methodologique. Andreas Dettwiler, Dr.theol., Jahrgang 1960, war Assistent bzw. Oberassistent bei Jean Zumstein in Neuenburg und Zurich. Von 1997 bis 2004 lehrte er an der Universitat Neuenburg. Seit 2004 ist er Professor fur Neues Testament an der Universitat Genf. Uta Poplutz, Dr.theol., Jahrgang 1971, war von 1998 bis 2004 Assistentin an der Universitat Wurzburg, von 2004 bis 2009 Assistentin bzw. Oberassistentin bei Prof. Jean Zumstein an der Universitat Zurich. Seit dem WS 2009/2010 ist sie Lehrstuhlvertreterin fur Neues Testament an der Universitat Mainz.