James (Belief: A Theological Commentary)
The Letter of James is the focus of the latest commentary in 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 Martha L. Moore-Keish guides the reader 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.
- Offers guidence through the letter of James from theologian Martha L. Moore-Keish
- Focuses on the encouragement to the early church, in the midst of the struggles and strife that marked its early days.
- Discuses the important actions to make a true life of faith
- Publisher’s Note
- Series Introduction by William C. Placher and Amy Plantinga Pauw
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction: Why James? Why Now?
Commentary
- 1:1–15 Greetings to a Community Being Tested
- 1:1 “James” Greets the “Twelve Tribes”
- 1:2–8 Faith and Wisdom in the Midst of Trials - Further Reflections: Faith
- 1:9–11 Poor and Rich
- 1:12–15 Enduring Temptation
- 1:16–27 The Living Word of Truth
- 1:16–18 Being Born of the Word - Further Reflections: Divine Immutability
- 1:19–27 Hearing and Doing the Word - Further Reflections: Religion
- 2:1–13 Playing Favorites
- 2:14–26 Faith Without Works is Dead - Further Reflections: Faith and Works, Justification and Sanctification
- 3:1–12 The Dangers of the Tongue
- 3:13–18 True and False Wisdom
- 4:1–10 Conflict Between God and "The World" Further Reflections: World
- 4:11–17 Warnings Against Judging or presuming to Know the Future
- 4:11–12 Do Not Judge
- 4:13–17 Do Not Boast about Tomorrow - Further Reflections: Providence
- 5:1–6 Critique of Rich Oppressors
- 5:7–20 Final Exhortations to the
Community Being Tested
- 5:7–11 Patience in Suffering
- 5:12 On Swearing
- 5:13–18 Faithful Prayer - Further Reflections: Prayer
- 5:19–20 Bringing Home the Wanderers
- Postscript : An Enduring Word in an Age of Fear
- For Further Reading
- Index of Ancient Sources
- Index of Subjects
Top Highlights
“To be a servant/slave of God was to be an instrument, a mouthpiece, a trusted helper, a worshiper devoted only to the Most High.” (Page 19)
“We are commanded to love not because it keeps us from being our best selves, but precisely because it enables us all to be our best selves together.” (Page 98)
“‘There could be no peace where there was oppression, injustice, or outrage upon the right” (Page 136)
“To doubt is to be internally conflicted, to have (at least) two competing views of the world operating at the same time: one in which God is the giver of all good gifts on whom we rely, and one in which humans are isolated individuals left to fend for themselves.” (Page 33)
“Instead, James preaches to his community on the same texts that Jesus did: the ancient Israelite Scriptures—Torah, prophets, and wisdom.” (Page 4)
- Title: James (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible)
- Author: Martha L. Moore-Keish
- Edition: First edition
- Series: Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible
- Publisher: Westminster John Knox
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2019
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. James › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781611649598, 9780664232641, 1611649595, 0664232647
- Resource ID: LLS:BELIEFJAMES
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-16T23:02:46Z