Romans Commentary

Author: Barth
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Even if classic Western thought has been translated into Chinese, it does not mean the Chinese academic community has the ability to interpret it. Although the history of translating Western academic works into Chinese has only been a century, the accumulated knowledge is already substantial, yet the academic interpretation still seems to be eating undercooked rice—even raw rice, unable to digest it. Translating works by Western scholars interpreting classic Western texts, fully utilizing the solid achievements of Western academia in preserving and organizing past knowledge, and arrogantly continuing the unfinished task of understanding Western intellectual traditions since the late Qing Dynasty is of great significance. The translation community is not unenthusiastic about translating research works by Western scholars, and there are even large-scale translation series. It is evident that the topics of such translations are basically limited to general histories or biographical evaluations, failing to advance to in-depth close readings. The design of this "Western Tradition: Classics and Interpretations" aims to promote a deeper understanding of the great intellectual tradition of Western thought. The selection of topics not only considers numerous urgent research gaps (including translations of some classic works) but also particularly focuses on choosing interpretations by prominent thinkers and dedicated intellectual historians of classic texts. The Interpretation of Romans is intellectually extraordinary, possesses high insight, and features a lucid style, steadfastly adhering to the stance of revelatory theology, inheriting the wisdom of great Christian thinkers like Paul, Augustine, Luther, and Kierkegaard. Its analysis reaches the finest details. Barth has a high literary cultivation; in The Interpretation of Romans, he not only masterfully incorporates the phrases of German poets H?lderlin, Novalis, and Nietzsche but also effortlessly draws upon the works of Russian writers Dostoevsky and Bely, transforming them into masterpieces. The Interpretation of Romans is not only profound in thought but also a work of beautiful prose, ranking as a masterpiece of prose in the history of German literature. Reading the original in German is an enjoyment of language, and reading the Chinese translation should also be an enjoyment of language.