Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72996 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-05
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From the Publisher
James is one of the most significant, yet generally overlooked, letters of the New Testament. Because Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, disliked the book of James for its emphasis on good deeds, the book has come to be viewed in opposition to Paul's letters, which emphasize faith in God. To correct these and other misperceptions about James, Scripture scholar Luke Timothy Johnson embarks on a thorough history of the interpretation of this pivotal letter, which highlights the vast appreciation for James over the centuries. With respect to the question of who wrote the letter of James, Johnson boldly identifies the writer as none other than James, the brother of Jesus Christ. While modern skepticism casts doubt on this conclusion, early textual witnesses, as well as saints and scholars throughout the centuries, corroborate Johnson's position. A thorough examination of the original language texts and an explanation of the literary context of James helps illuminate the original meaning of the letter. In addition, Johnson offers the general reader insights into the letter's relevance for today.

Inside Flap Copy
James is one of the most significant, yet  generally overlooked, letters of the New Testament.  Because Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant  Reformation, disliked the book of James for its emphasis  on good deeds, the book has come to be viewed in  opposition to Paul's letters, which emphasize  faith in God. To correct these and other  misperceptions about James, Scripture scholar Luke Timothy  Johnson embarks on a thorough history of the  interpretation of this pivotal letter, which highlights the  vast appreciation for James over the centuries.  With respect to the question of who wrote the letter  of James, Johnson boldly identifies the writer as  none other than James, the brother of Jesus  Christ. While modern skepticism casts doubt on this  conclusion, early textual witnesses, as well as saints  and scholars throughout the centuries, corroborate  Johnson's position. A thorough examination of the  original language texts and an explanation of the  literary context of James helps illuminate the  original meaning of the letter. In addition, Johnson  offers the general reader insights into the  letter's relevance for today.

Customer Reviews

Written Numerous Articles And Books On The New Testament For Scholars And Laypeople
"..... Luke Timothy Johnson is Professor of New Testament at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hew has won Lilly Endowment fellowships and has WRITTEN NUMEROUS ARTICLES AND BOOKS ON THE NEW TESTAMENT FOR SCHOLARS AND LAYPEOPLE."

[from the book of the front flap]

Excellent technical commentary
Overall, this is an excellent commentary. I am using it along with 2 others in study of James. Johnson is long on technical and historical background, but is often short on application. Once in a while, verse background is quite brief, and I've found this at times when I was looking for more.

The introduction is second to none, with Johnson's survey of the interpretation of James of highest value. Johnson explodes the myth of the Paul vs. James debate, demonstrating that this is purely a modern controversy thrust on the text. Johnson further shows that from a historical perspective, that the faith vs. works debate, is also a modern development. The church through the ages has held that these two emphases of salvation and their authors have never been viewed as contradictions.

Of the James Commentaries in current research, simply the best
This is the most comprehensive James commentary currently on the market, plain and simple. It offers an extended meditation not only on how the letter of James fits into the New Testament, something all commentaries engage, but it also succinctly incorporates an impressive milieu of works contemporary to James that help to flesh out both its composition and its meaning.

Furthermore, scholarship in the Epistle of James has been notoriously focused on the "James v. Paul" fight, while ignoring some of the unique qualities of the letter that make it what it is. Johnson expertly engages the Pauline question without dwelling on it, and places, rightly so, the emphasis back squarely on the letter itself, letting its theological voice be heard in its own right.

For anyone serious in the area of biblical studies who wants an insightful and deep commentary on one of the most controversial and neglected works of the NT, I recommend this work highly.