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Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James Paperback – February 27, 2004

by Luke Timothy Johnson (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wm. B. Eerdmans-Lightning Source
  4. Publication date
    February 27, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0802809863
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0802809865
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

John Painter
"Luke Timothy Johnson rightly argues that the Epistle of James provides important evidence for any study of the brother of the Lord. His work in writing commentaries on James and Acts fits him well for the approach that he has adopted. He argues that his study of the epistle reveals the voice of James, a voice that 'agrees substantially with the best reading of Luke and Paul with respect to the historical James.' Not all readers will agree with this reading, but Johnson makes a strong case for the value of the epistle in understanding the life and mission of the brother of the Lord. Anyone interested in James — the epistle and the person — will want to read this book."

Robert W. Wall
"This fine collection from Luke Timothy Johnson, a leading interpreter of the Letter of James, offers advanced Bible students a fluent and full introduction to the letter's composition, canonization, theological contribution, and history within the early church. Although Johnson's book is scholarly in purview, including extensive notes and a current bibliography, his evident purpose is to set James within a context where current interpreters can better retrieve meaning in a way that underscores the letter's continuing importance for forming a more vital Christian faith. Johnson accomplishes this purpose with uncommon skill and grace."

Joel B. Green
"With this welcome study of the background, theology, and interpretation of the Letter of James, Luke Timothy Johnson rehabilitates this New Testament book both from the disparagement it has suffered in church history and from those for whom its theological vision remains marginal today. Read in concert with Johnson's premier commentary on James, this book urges forms of discipleship marked by community and integrity — a way of life oriented radically around the gift-giving God. "

From the Back Cover

The letter of James has enjoyed a colorful history, with its background and significance widely debated over the centuries. In this book an outstanding scholar of the New Testament offers new and selected studies of James that show its roots in antiquity and its importance for Christian history and theology.

Luke Timothy Johnson explores the letter of James from a variety of perspectives. After a general introduction to James, he looks at its history of interpretation. Johnson then examines James's social and historical situation, its place within Scripture, and its use of the sayings of Jesus. Several exegetical studies take care to place James in the context of Hellenistic moral discourse. Two concluding essays look at the themes of friendship and gender in James.

While seemingly of interest only to professionals, Johnson's "Brother of Jesus, Friend of God will also be accessible to general readers serious about Bible study, and church groups will find this volume to be a fruitful entry into an important portion of the New Testament.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wm. B. Eerdmans-Lightning Source (February 27, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802809863
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802809865
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

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Luke Timothy Johnson

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
19 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

James Prothro
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
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Quality book, better than advertised, and timely delivery
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2014
My book club and I will love reading this book. Thanks for sending it in a timely manner.
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Annie Gilchrist
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for reading
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
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Very informative
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Bookishfellow
4.0 out of 5 stars Great compilation of Johnson's best work on James
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2015
This is a compilation of some of Johnson's best work on James. Much is derived from his Anchor commentary or his journal articles, but it is handy to have it one bound volume. He deals at length the reception of the book by the early church (east and west) and with the history of interpretation. Where he really shines, as always, in his exegesis of critical passages in James (1:26-27, 1:22-25, and especially 3:13-4:10) and the application of those to modern life. If you've read the Anchor commentary and his journal articles, there will be very little that's new here.
NOTE: in the exegetical essays, when he quotes a word, phrase or verse, it is almost always in Greek without English translation. Readers unfamiliar with Koine may find it difficult to follow.
8 people found this helpful
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Darian Lockett
4.0 out of 5 stars Collection of Johnson's Essays
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2004
In this collection of essays, Johnson has compiled the fruit of nearly two decades of research and reflection upon the Letter of James. Several of the chapters consist either of essays previously published or older studies appearing in print for the first time, while the prologue and epilogue appear as new essays written specifically for this text. In order to summarize the various theses forwarded in this collection of essays, it will be helpful to organize the themes Johnson pursues around some major trajectories.

First, Johnson sets his work within the trajectory of ancient sources; including Greco-Roman, Jewish literary background and discernable sayings of Jesus. Another clear trajectory set within these essays is the reception history of the epistle. Several essays consider different aspects of the history of interpretation of James (e.g., `A Survey of the History of Interpretation of James', pp. 39-44; `The Reception of James in the Early Church', pp. 45-60; `Journeying East with James: A Chapter in the History of Interpretation', pp. 61-83; `How James Won the West: A Chapter in the History of Canonization', pp. 84-100). In a closely related essay (`Prologue: James's Significance for Early Christian History', pp. 1-23), Johnson proposes that the letter was actually written by James of Jerusalem before 62 and how such an assessment might impact an understanding of earliest Christianity. Finally, Johnson sets his work on James within the trajectory of social and theological impact of the letter. Here he deals specifically with the discernable social context in James (`The Social World of James: Literary Analysis and Historical Reconstruction', pp. 101-22).

Though some essays here are dated, they remain helpful, if not crucial, pieces of scholarship which consist in the now ground swell of new research considering James on its own terms. In several of the essays Johnson's comparative approach with regard to Hellenistic moral literature seems forced and at times irrelevant, though fruitful insights have come to light in this way. For those already familiar with Johnson's essays this text will only be of interest with respect to the opening and concluding essays. The latter of which, because of its serious engagement with the theological issues of the letter, is worth the price of the book. While some of the essays are quite technical most are accessible to general readers accustom to biblical study. Though most of the essays are concerned with historical-critical issues, Johnson admirably turns the discussion toward the theological riches of this oft neglected text.
24 people found this helpful
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