Book Review: Michael Niebauer, Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission

Abstract

reading, but rather suggests that all monocultural readings will inevitably be limited and that modern interpreters are helped by gleaning insights from multiple cultural perspectives on biblical texts such as Romans. Wu makes several important claims. Paul’s main concern is not the individual standing before God (individualism) but communities (Paul’s strong collectivism implied by the hortatory sections of chapters 12–16) and their part in salvation history. In particular, Wu draws attention to the underappreciated and profoundly misunderstood themes of honor, shame, and face, noting that the term guilt does not even occur in the book. This reading highlights a profoundly relational purpose in the writing of Romans and how Paul’s hamartiology and soteriology contain fundamental honor– shame dimensions often missed by western interpreters. Most provocatively, Wu suggests Paul’s depiction of Jesus in Romans 5–8 is consistent with the notion of an obedient “filial” son, who restores God’s honor and thus enables the entire human family to participate in the honor (glory) of God and God’s kingdom. Wu engages in complex intercultural theological work, comparing the theological anthropology of Paul in Romans with that of Confucius. Though this helpful resource will not substitute for more exegetically rigorous commentaries on Romans, it can aid readers to glean new insights and provide a roadmap for thinking about Romans (and Scripture more broadly) in light of important themes salient to much of the global church. This book won Christianity Today’s 2020 Book of the Year Award of Merit in Biblical Studies.