James Through the Centuries

This unique commentary on James by an outstanding New Testament specialist, David B. Gowler, provides a broad range of original perspectives on how people have interpreted, and been influenced by, this important epistle. 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 his 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. James Through the Centuries is published within the Wiley Blackwell Bible Commentaries series. Further information about this innovative reception history series is available at bbibcomm.info.

This unique commentary on James by an outstanding New Testament specialist, David B. Gowler, provides a broad range of original perspectives on how people have interpreted, and been influenced by, this important epistle.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 his 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.James Through the Centuries is published within the Wiley Blackwell Bible Commentaries series. Further information about this innovative reception history series is available at bbibcomm.info.

List of Plates ixSeries Editors' Preface xiiPreface xivAcknowledgements xviiiIntroduction 1James 1:1-11: Trials, Endurance, Wisdom, and the Exalted Poor 63James 1:12-27: Trials, Endurance, and Doers of the Word 99James 2:1-13: Deeds of Faith, the Chosen Poor, and the Law of Liberty 143James 2:14-26: Faith without Works Is Dead 173James 3:1-12: The Power and Danger of Speech 204James 3:13-4:12: The Fruits of Wisdom versus Friendship with the World 219James 4:13-5:6: The Sovereignty of God and God's Judgment upon the Rich 252James 5:7-11: The Patience of the Faithful and the Compassion of the Lord 278James 5:12-20: Speech and Actions in the Community of the Faithful 288Biographies 317References 323Index of Names 331Index of Subjects 335