New Testament: James

Exalting Jesus in James by David Platt (Editor); Daniel L. Akin (Editor); Tony Merida (Editor) Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a Christ-centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. Rather than a verse-by-verse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages in their assigned Bible books. Readers will learn to see Christ in all aspects of Scripture, and they will be encouraged by the devotional nature of each exposition.

Hebrews, James by Ronald K. Rittgers Summary: "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," wrote the author of the epistle to the Hebrews. Reflecting on this verse and the epistle s description of the high priestly and sacrificial ministry of Jesus Christ, Swiss Reformed theologian and exegete Heinrich Bullinger defined faith as the most constant mental certainty, which rests on those things to which all our hope is directed, namely . . . the expectation of salvation and the recognition of our truly blessed God and Savior, who is the inexhaustible fountain of all good. Both the epistle to the Hebrews and the epistle of James generated much discussion and debate during the Reformation period. The author of the former is unknown, and the latter was dismissively labeled as an epistle of straw by Martin Luther. Yet both of these letters have proven to be essential for Christians during the Reformation era and today who seek to understand the significance of the work of Jesus Christ and what it means to follow him. In this volume of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture, church historian and theologian Ronald K. Rittgers guides readers through a diversity of early modern commentary on both Hebrews and James. Readers will hear from familiar voices as well as lesser-known figures from a variety of theological traditions, including Lutherans, Reformed, Radicals, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics. Drawing on a variety of resources including commentaries, sermons, treatises, and confessions much of which appears here for the first time in English, this volume provides resources for contemporary preachers, enables scholars to better understand the depth and breadth of Reformation commentary, and helps all who seek the assurance and conviction that is found in Christ alone.

James by Douglas J. Moo Summary: "The letter of James has often been defined in terms of moral earnestness, repentance and consistent social action, leading many to argue that it is not theological. This separation between theology and practice, Douglas J. Moo observes, can all too easily lead people to read Scripture as a book to be analysed rather than a message to be obeyed--the very mindset against which James inveighs. Moo's exposition of these themes illuminates James's rich letter and its message for us today." --Back Cover.

James by Martha L. Moore-Keish Summary: "The Letter of James is the focus of the latest commentary for the Belief series. In the Letter of James, the writer sends encouragement to the early church, in the midst of the struggles and strife that marked its early days. Theologian Moore-Keish guides the writer through the brief but important letter, most known for its discussion of the importance of actions to make a true life of faith. The volumes in the Belief series offer a fresh and invigorating approach to all the books of the Bible. Building on a wide range of sources from biblical studies and the Christian tradition, noted scholars focus less on traditional, historical and literary angles in favor of a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the text"-- Provided by publisher.

James by Douglas J. Moo (Foreword by); Chris A. Vlachos The Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament: James is the second book in a projected series of twenty volumes that seeks to bring together classroom, study, and pulpit by providing the student or pastor with information that is helpful to understand and expound the Greek text of the New Testament. Author Chris Vlachos aims to close the gap between grammatical analysis and exegesis, leading readers into an in-depth understanding of the New Testament Greek text by guiding them through an exegetical process that flows into sermon construction.

James and Jude by John Painter; David A. deSilva; Mikeal Parsons (General Editor); Charles Talbert (General Editor) Summary: In this addition to the well-received Paideia series, two respected New Testament scholars offer a practical commentary on James and Jude that is conversant with contemporary scholarship, draws on ancient backgrounds, and attends to the theological nature of the texts. This commentary, like each in the projected eighteen-volume series, proceeds by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Paideia commentaries explore how New Testament texts form Christian readers by: attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs; showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits; commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book; focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text; making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format. Students, pastors, and other readers will appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight that John Painter and David deSilva offer in interpreting James and Jude. - Publisher.

James Through the Centuries by David Gowler Summary: "The author explores a vast array of interpretations extending far beyond theological commentary, sermons, and hymns, to also embrace the epistle's influences on literature, art, politics, and social theory. The work includes examples of how successive generations have portrayed the historical figure of James the Just, in both pictorial and textual form. Contextualizing his analysis with excerpts from key documents, including artistic representations of the epistle, the author reviews the dynamic interactions between the James and Jesus traditions and compares James's epistle with those of Paul. The volume highlights James's particular concern for the poor and marginalized, charting the many responses to this aspect of its legacy. Drawing on sources as varied as William Shakespeare, John Calvin, Charles Schultz's Peanuts, and political cartoons, this is an exhaustive study of the theological and cultural debates sparked by the Epistle of James"-- Cover.

The Letter of James by Addison Hodges Hart The Letter of James is perhaps needed more than ever today. In this commentary, Hart argues that the epistle is indeed the work of James of Jerusalem, “the brother of the Lord,” that it was an encyclical letter, and that its chief concern was to combat a distorted version of Paul's gospel. It is a work with a singular purpose: to bring the churches back to the most basic teachings of Jesus. In its defense of orthopraxy as the primary Christian standard, its denunciation of those with wealth who exploit or neglect the poor, its hard words for those who have taken on the mantel of “teacher” without first learning to restrain their tongues, and above all its exhortation to relearn the truth that “faith without works [of love] is dead,” James could be talking to churches in our own time. This commentary presents James afresh, as a living guide with a perennial message for those who seek to follow Jesus. It is pastoral in intent, written for those who teach and preach, those who desire a more authentic discipleship, and those who practice lectio divina - the meditative reading of Scripture. (Includes the entire Greek text and the new English translation of the epistle by David Bentley Hart.)

The Letter of James (NICNT) by Scot McKnight Summary: Scot McKnight's commentary expounds James both in its own context and in the context of ancient Judaism, the Greco-Roman world, and the emerging Christian faith. --from publisher description.

NBBC, James by C. Jeanne Orjala Serrão The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God’s Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century.Each volume features:Completely New Scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan traditionConvenient Introductory Material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and moreClear Verse-by-Verse Explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the passage’s original languageComprehensive Annotation divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the textHelpful Sidebars, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, cultural customs, and moreExpanded Bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themesThe book of James is full of advice on how Christians should live. Thus, some say it contradicts Paul’s Gospel of grace and faith, and theyYNbeaThe New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid indiv

James by A. K. M. Adam In this addition to the Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament series, A. K. M. Adam provides a guide through the Greek text of the Epistle of James. This handbook highlights the linguistic, rhetorical, and stylistic features of James, utilizing the Greek text to lead discussion on many of the theological questions raised by the letter. Adam expertly unveils the letter's excellent use of Hellenistic Greek balanced with noticeable Jewish patterns of thought. Students and teachers will find James a helpful tool in navigating this centuries-old piece of New Testament literature.

James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Early Jesus Traditions by Alicia J. Batten (Editor); John S. Kloppenborg (Editor); Chris Keith (Series edited by) This book studies comparisons and possible trajectories between three 'catholic' epistles, and traditions associated with Jesus. Part A analyzes why James would recall the teachings of Jesus, how he alters these teachings, and what such adaptation suggests about his audience. Part B turns to the Jesus tradition and 1 and 2 Peter. What can 1 Peter's use of Isaiah 53 tell us about the historical Jesus? How has 1 Peter conflated early Jesus traditions with those of ancient Judaism in order to develop certain ideas? How does 2 Peter allude to Gospel traditions? Moreover, how does the author of 2 Peter use early Jesus traditions as a sort of testimony? The book is an important contribution to scholarship on source criticism, ancient rhetoric, and the influence of Hellenistic, Judean and Roman traditions on early Christianity.

James in the Suburbs by April Love-Fordham; Stephen A. Hayner (Foreword by) Do you consume God's blessings, or do you share them? Most Christians are consumers. We are obsessed with knowing the right theology and following the right set of rules in hopes that God will bless us. Yet, no matter how much God blesses us, we are still looking for more. James says our faith is dead. But there is another type of Christian, one who craves being put to work as the servant of God to share God's blessings with others. Their faith spurs them on to become the hands and feet of Christ. James says their faith is alive. James in the Suburbs is far more than your ordinary Bible study guide. It is also a parable--an energizing story of the lives of six men and women--that wraps itself around the Epistle of James, making its teachings immediately applicable to modern life. You will walk away with not only a thorough understanding of the epistle, but also the unforgettable story of people just like you, whose lives the Holy Spirit turned upside down. This book can be read casually by an individual or studied within a group. The final chapter provides everything readers need for a guided twelve-week study. If you are using James in the Suburbs as a small group or church wide study, there are some free handouts and planning information that you might find helpful at aprillovefordham.com. "

Logos and Law in the Letter of James by Matt A. Jackson-McCabe "This study examines the association of 'implanted logos' and the 'perfect law of freedom' in the Letter of James. It argues that James understands the Torah to be a written expression of the divine law the Stoics correlated with human reason. After showing how past interpretation of James's 'logos' has been guided by a problematic essentialist approach to Christian origins, the Stoic theory of law is reconstructed with special attention to Cicero's concept of 'implanted reason.' Adaptations of the Stoic theory in ancient Jewish and Christian literature are examined, and the Letter of James is analyzed in detail. The work makes original contributions to the study of James and of Stoicism. It also highlights the importance of broad reconstructions of Christian origins for the interpretation of the early Christian literature" -- BACK COVER.

Paul vs. James by Chris Bruno; Douglas J. Moo (Foreword by) Everything you never knew about the men behind the controversy. Put James and Paul next to each other and some tough-to-answer questions come up. Paul says we’re saved by faith alone, not works—and James seems to say the opposite. If you’ve been around the church for a while, you probably know enough to say "the right thing" if someone asked about these verses. But would your answers hold up to scrutiny? If pressed, would you know what to say? Dive into the life stories of both apostles, learn more about the context of their letters, and discover the truth about the shared message they both proclaimed. No more canned answers or lingering questions, gain confidence and go deeper in Paul vs. James.

Reading the Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude As Scripture by David R. Nienhuis; Robert W. Wall Through a detailed examination of the historical shaping and final canonical shape of seven oft-neglected New Testament letters, Reading the Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude as Scripture introduces readers to the historical, literary, and theological integrity of this indispensable apostolic witness. While most scholars today interpret biblical texts in terms of their individual historical points of composition, David Nienhuis and Robert Wall argue that a theological approach to this part of Scripture is better served by attending to these texts' historical point of canonization -- those key moments in the ancient church's life when apostolic writings were grouped together to maximize the Spirit's communication of the apostolic rule of faith to believers everywhere. Reading the Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude as Scripture is the only treatment of the Catholic Epistles that approaches these seven letters as an intentionally designed and theologically coherent canonical collection.

A Theology of James by Christopher W. Morgan Here Chris Morgan accomplishes a seldom-attempted task, laying out a biblical, coherent theology of the epistle of James. He connects the particulars of James to the big picture of the Bible and argues that its instruction is both grounded in theology and is theology applied.

A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude by Peter H. Davids; Andreas J. Kostenberger (General Editor) In this volume, Peter Davids offers a comprehensive study of the General or Catholic Epistles of James, 1-2 Peter, and Jude, which are often insufficiently covered in more general New Testament introductions, theologies, and surveys. Before discussing a theology of each of the four letters, Davids first deals with their common aspects―their shared background in the Greco-Roman world and a similar Christology, view of the source of sin, and eschatology―thus justifying their being treated together. In the chapters that follow, Davids embarks upon a theological reading of each letter informed by its social-rhetorical understanding―what they meant in the context of their original cultural settings―including: a survey of recent scholarship, a discussion of relevant introductory issues, a thematic commentary, a treatment of important theological themes, and a discussion of the place of the letter in the biblical canon and its contribution to New Testament theology.

A Youth Worker's Commentary on James by Les Christie; David P. Nystrom (As told to) Christians wrestling to apply the teachings of Jesus to their everyday lives. Communities plagued by divisiveness and hypocrisy, with an emphasis on wealth and status. That’s the book of James … and the story of our modern lives. A Youth Worker's Commentary on James has the entire NIV Biblical text printed alongside a deeply rich, yet readable, look into the meaning of this marvelous book. The book includes dozens of word studies, with fascinating historical accounts and personal stories, followed by a large section of thought provoking questions to get your students thinking and talking. Written for youth workers, ministry volunteers, and everyday people who want to probe deeper into the Book of James, youth workers will find it an invaluable aid for message and lesson preparation. Using this book to achieve a solid understanding of James, including its historical context, rationale, and meaning, youth workers will then apply this pertinent wisdom to the needs and issues they and their youth groups are working through. A Youth Worker's Commentary on James also includes bonus material and activities that make the passages come to life.