The Letter of James
1995
First Published
4.37
Average Rating
432
Number of Pages
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.
Avg Rating
4.37
Number of Ratings
46
5 STARS
52%
4 STARS
35%
3 STARS
11%
2 STARS
2%
1 STARS
0%
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Author
Luke Timothy Johnson
Author · 29 books
Luke Timothy Johnson is an American New Testament scholar and historian of early Christianity. He is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology and a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. Johnson's research interests encompass the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts of early Christianity (particularly moral discourse), Luke-Acts, the Pastoral Epistles, and the Epistle of James.
