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Explorations in Biblical Theology
A Theology of James: Wisdom for God's People
Here Chris Morgan accomplishes a seldom-attempted task, laying out a biblical, coherent theology of the epistle of James. He connects the particulars of James to the big picture of the Bible and argues that its instruction is both grounded in theology and is theology applied.
The Explorations in Biblical Theology series addresses the need for quality literature that attracts believing readers to good theology and builds them up in their faith. Each title in the series combines solid content with accessibility and readability a valuable addition to the library of any college student, thoughtful lay reader, seminarian, or pastor.
The Explorations in Biblical Theology series addresses the need for quality literature that attracts believing readers to good theology and builds them up in their faith. Each title in the series combines solid content with accessibility and readability a valuable addition to the library of any college student, thoughtful lay reader, seminarian, or pastor.
- GenresTheologyBiblical Studies
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2010
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31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 15, 2017
Perhaps it is because I am so close to the end of my schooling journey and this book was a textbook for my last class, but I felt Chris Morgan did an outstanding job with this.
January 25, 2011
When P&R sent me a copy of A Theology of James to review, I expected a good book from which I could learn. What I did not expect was such exegetical and theological dynamite; and in such a small (218 pages including bibliography) package.
Christopher Morgan has done a masterful job with this book.
Subtitled “Wisdom for God's People”, this book does show that there is an indisputable link between James and Old Testament Wisdom literature. Morgan highlights common themes and shows how James builds upon Old Testament Wisdom literature in an effort to show us how to be wise today. Morgan shows us that James' desire is for the people to be wisely consistent in their attitudes, behavior, suffering, words, and they ways in which they interact with one another.
There is an interesting chapter on James and Paul. I honestly didn't have great expectations for this chapter simply because I felt that Morgan was going to throw out the obligatory discussion of how that James and Paul are not contradicting each other, etc, ad nauseum. I was gratified to find that Morgan not only took the issue much further than that, but that Morgan feels that James did not even have Pauline writings in mind as he wrote. Morgan would have us believe that James is simply telling the folks that faith is only genuine if it demonstrates its authenticity by works. I must say that his argument is compelling, and that I am inclined to agree. In fact, there is a good reason to continue further by connecting faith and wisdom here, because wisdom also shows up in our lives, and we only get wisdom by faith (James 1:5-8).
The deepest section of the book is the section on James' theology. Honestly, I knew that James had a theology, but never dreamed of how much could actually be seen. James has a high view of God, and a well-developed Christology. Though there is no obvious doctrine of the Holy Spirit, James' theology is never the less deep. In fact, Morgan asserts that James' practical teachings are rooted in his theology, just as the practical teachings of the Old Testament are rooted in the nature of God.
Though brief, Morgan also gives us a chapter on how the theology of James is relevant today. All I can say is that it is indeed relevant, because I don't want to give away all that he says.
In the end, I must give this a five star rating only because five is the limit.
Thanks to P&R for this free review copy that was provided with no expectation of a positive review.
Christopher Morgan has done a masterful job with this book.
Subtitled “Wisdom for God's People”, this book does show that there is an indisputable link between James and Old Testament Wisdom literature. Morgan highlights common themes and shows how James builds upon Old Testament Wisdom literature in an effort to show us how to be wise today. Morgan shows us that James' desire is for the people to be wisely consistent in their attitudes, behavior, suffering, words, and they ways in which they interact with one another.
There is an interesting chapter on James and Paul. I honestly didn't have great expectations for this chapter simply because I felt that Morgan was going to throw out the obligatory discussion of how that James and Paul are not contradicting each other, etc, ad nauseum. I was gratified to find that Morgan not only took the issue much further than that, but that Morgan feels that James did not even have Pauline writings in mind as he wrote. Morgan would have us believe that James is simply telling the folks that faith is only genuine if it demonstrates its authenticity by works. I must say that his argument is compelling, and that I am inclined to agree. In fact, there is a good reason to continue further by connecting faith and wisdom here, because wisdom also shows up in our lives, and we only get wisdom by faith (James 1:5-8).
The deepest section of the book is the section on James' theology. Honestly, I knew that James had a theology, but never dreamed of how much could actually be seen. James has a high view of God, and a well-developed Christology. Though there is no obvious doctrine of the Holy Spirit, James' theology is never the less deep. In fact, Morgan asserts that James' practical teachings are rooted in his theology, just as the practical teachings of the Old Testament are rooted in the nature of God.
Though brief, Morgan also gives us a chapter on how the theology of James is relevant today. All I can say is that it is indeed relevant, because I don't want to give away all that he says.
In the end, I must give this a five star rating only because five is the limit.
Thanks to P&R for this free review copy that was provided with no expectation of a positive review.
December 24, 2013
Long-maligned as an epistle at odds with the rest of the New Testament, the book of James is actually one of the earliest and most connected affirmations of Jesus’ life and teachings. Morgan draws out the key themes and recurrent topics that comprise James’ brief letter and manages to show how they correspond with Christ’s teachings (specifically the Sermon on the Mount). Though repetitive in places, this stands as an honest examination of an oft-neglected book.
May 23, 2013
A readable yet still thorough Biblical Theology of James that I enjoyed reading for a Bible College book review, full text posted below.
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A Theology of James by Christopher Morgan is a biblical theology of the Letter of James which aims to provide the “substantial content” of academic books while “striving for the readability” of semi-popular books (ix). Although this aspiration is quite common among commentaries and theological books it is a difficult balance to achieve. Yet, the glowing endorsements inside the front cover from an impressive number of eminent reformed scholars (such as Tom Schreiner, Wayne Grudem, John Frame and Bryan Chapel) indicate that Christopher Morgan may have achieved this goal. Morgan is well qualified for the task, having on an academic level written a commentary on James and on a popular level preached through James twice as a pastor (42).
The introduction is engaging and interesting. In keeping with the aim of the book, Morgan argues that ‘academic’ examinations of the theology of James will be fruitful and relevant for everyday life in our churches. Pastors and church leaders, he says, are inspired in their ministry by the biblical vision of “what the church can and should be” (xiii) – a community of passion, obedience, witness, generosity and unity (xiii-xvi). All to often however, they encounter and struggle with the “disheartening reality” (xiv) that churches rarely live up to this biblical vision. How are we to deal with tension? Morgan answers that the theology of the letter of James, “written to real life churches with real life problems” (xiv) can encourage church leaders as they lead their communities in this tension of the “already and the not yet” (xiv). He also argues that a biblical theology approach to James more effectively draws out the overarching themes of the letter that might be otherwise obscured. He give a useful analogy of the different types of theology: walking through a landscape (biblical exegesis), driving through it (biblical theology) or flying over it (systematic theology).
Chapter One, ‘James in Context’, addresses issues of authorship, date, recipients and so on. Overall, some sections of the book live up to the aimed-for readable, accessible theology book and other sections are written in a less engaging, more typically academic approach. This chapter begins with an excellent conversational discussion about the identity of the author of the letter. It deals with the important issues, incorporates wide ranging and relevant material from other New Testament books and interacts with scholarship on the issues without going overboard. The remainder of the chapter, however, is a fairly standard academically toned survey that doesn’t distinguish itself from any other commentary on James. Chapter Two, “Influences on James’ Thought”, examines the influence in James’ thought of Old Testament law, prophets, wisdom literature and the teachings of Jesus. This is a fairly dense chapter that includes several somewhat tedious itemised lists of Bible passages. At times throughout the book it seems that Morgan is torn between his two goals. On one hand, he aims to produce a readable, semi-popular book. On the other hand, several times he takes the opportunity to give extended treatment to specialised issues that are not usually given space in commentaries or shorter articles on the letter of James. At times the two goals seem mutually exclusive, and had some of this specialised material been placed in appendices the book might have been more readable.
In Chapter Three, Morgan argues that the single unifying theme of the letter is in fact a combination of three themes – “wisdom for consistency in the community”. This is a helpful and succinct chapter as Morgan demonstrates familiarity with other scholarly proposals while convincingly arguing for his own thesis. This three-part theme is a practical, helpful summary for a popular level audience that Morgan refers to often throughout the remainder of the book. In Chapters Four to Nine, Morgan examines each significant sub-theme in turn: wisdom, consistency, suffering, the poor, words and finally God’s word and law. In each chapter he gives a brief introduction before examining all the passages in James that relate the theme in question. These are helpful, readable chapters that clearly explain James’ main themes. The practical applications of the letter of James are clearly evident, but Morgan himself makes no effort to draw out modern day applications. I think some attempt at practical application would have enhanced the work as a semi-popular book. The other noticeable weakness of these chapters is that because many passages of James address multiple themes, repetition becomes a problem -- some passages are examined afresh in almost every chapter.
Chapter Ten addresses the relationship between James and Paul, and this is one of the best chapters in the book. This is probably the theological issue that lay readers, the intended audience, will be most interested in and Morgan’s explanation is concise and satisfying without being technical. He explains the three main positions (‘James vs Paul’, ‘James vs Paulinism’ and ‘James without Reference to Paul’), gives a fair and convincing analysis of each – making a point of disagreeing with John Piper in the process (130) – before endorsing the third position. His gospel centred theological explanation of James 2:14-26 is a highlight (137-142).
In Chapter 11, “A Sketch of James’ Theology”, Morgan examines James’ theology under traditional systematic headings. Some sections, for example those concerning God, humanity and sin and eschatology were little more than verse references listed by category. The sections on Jesus and the church, on the other hand, were much more interesting and varied, contributing to his overall theme and suiting the purpose of the book. Chapter 12, “Theology at Work”, develops the idea that James bases most of his practical exhortations on his theological foundations, especially his doctrine of God. Despite this great concept, which suits the book’s “applicable theology” genre, the chapter unfortunately falls victim to repetition and redundancy, with most of the content having been addressed multiple times already. Chapter 13, “James for the 21st Century Church”, seemed to promise some modern day application at last! Alas, the few broad, brief points Morgan raised in this three-page chapter were unsatisfying.
I enjoyed A Theology of James by Christopher Morgan. As I read it, I was encouraged and confronted by the teachings of James. Overall it succeeds in its purpose, being both readable and genuinely theological. I did weary of the repetition by the end of the book, and had Morgan made more of an effort to incorporate some points of modern day application the book would have been improved. The book makes worthy contributions to the academic study of James, and yet is also an accessible book that would make a great entry-level introduction to serious theology for an interested lay reader.
-----------------------
A Theology of James by Christopher Morgan is a biblical theology of the Letter of James which aims to provide the “substantial content” of academic books while “striving for the readability” of semi-popular books (ix). Although this aspiration is quite common among commentaries and theological books it is a difficult balance to achieve. Yet, the glowing endorsements inside the front cover from an impressive number of eminent reformed scholars (such as Tom Schreiner, Wayne Grudem, John Frame and Bryan Chapel) indicate that Christopher Morgan may have achieved this goal. Morgan is well qualified for the task, having on an academic level written a commentary on James and on a popular level preached through James twice as a pastor (42).
The introduction is engaging and interesting. In keeping with the aim of the book, Morgan argues that ‘academic’ examinations of the theology of James will be fruitful and relevant for everyday life in our churches. Pastors and church leaders, he says, are inspired in their ministry by the biblical vision of “what the church can and should be” (xiii) – a community of passion, obedience, witness, generosity and unity (xiii-xvi). All to often however, they encounter and struggle with the “disheartening reality” (xiv) that churches rarely live up to this biblical vision. How are we to deal with tension? Morgan answers that the theology of the letter of James, “written to real life churches with real life problems” (xiv) can encourage church leaders as they lead their communities in this tension of the “already and the not yet” (xiv). He also argues that a biblical theology approach to James more effectively draws out the overarching themes of the letter that might be otherwise obscured. He give a useful analogy of the different types of theology: walking through a landscape (biblical exegesis), driving through it (biblical theology) or flying over it (systematic theology).
Chapter One, ‘James in Context’, addresses issues of authorship, date, recipients and so on. Overall, some sections of the book live up to the aimed-for readable, accessible theology book and other sections are written in a less engaging, more typically academic approach. This chapter begins with an excellent conversational discussion about the identity of the author of the letter. It deals with the important issues, incorporates wide ranging and relevant material from other New Testament books and interacts with scholarship on the issues without going overboard. The remainder of the chapter, however, is a fairly standard academically toned survey that doesn’t distinguish itself from any other commentary on James. Chapter Two, “Influences on James’ Thought”, examines the influence in James’ thought of Old Testament law, prophets, wisdom literature and the teachings of Jesus. This is a fairly dense chapter that includes several somewhat tedious itemised lists of Bible passages. At times throughout the book it seems that Morgan is torn between his two goals. On one hand, he aims to produce a readable, semi-popular book. On the other hand, several times he takes the opportunity to give extended treatment to specialised issues that are not usually given space in commentaries or shorter articles on the letter of James. At times the two goals seem mutually exclusive, and had some of this specialised material been placed in appendices the book might have been more readable.
In Chapter Three, Morgan argues that the single unifying theme of the letter is in fact a combination of three themes – “wisdom for consistency in the community”. This is a helpful and succinct chapter as Morgan demonstrates familiarity with other scholarly proposals while convincingly arguing for his own thesis. This three-part theme is a practical, helpful summary for a popular level audience that Morgan refers to often throughout the remainder of the book. In Chapters Four to Nine, Morgan examines each significant sub-theme in turn: wisdom, consistency, suffering, the poor, words and finally God’s word and law. In each chapter he gives a brief introduction before examining all the passages in James that relate the theme in question. These are helpful, readable chapters that clearly explain James’ main themes. The practical applications of the letter of James are clearly evident, but Morgan himself makes no effort to draw out modern day applications. I think some attempt at practical application would have enhanced the work as a semi-popular book. The other noticeable weakness of these chapters is that because many passages of James address multiple themes, repetition becomes a problem -- some passages are examined afresh in almost every chapter.
Chapter Ten addresses the relationship between James and Paul, and this is one of the best chapters in the book. This is probably the theological issue that lay readers, the intended audience, will be most interested in and Morgan’s explanation is concise and satisfying without being technical. He explains the three main positions (‘James vs Paul’, ‘James vs Paulinism’ and ‘James without Reference to Paul’), gives a fair and convincing analysis of each – making a point of disagreeing with John Piper in the process (130) – before endorsing the third position. His gospel centred theological explanation of James 2:14-26 is a highlight (137-142).
In Chapter 11, “A Sketch of James’ Theology”, Morgan examines James’ theology under traditional systematic headings. Some sections, for example those concerning God, humanity and sin and eschatology were little more than verse references listed by category. The sections on Jesus and the church, on the other hand, were much more interesting and varied, contributing to his overall theme and suiting the purpose of the book. Chapter 12, “Theology at Work”, develops the idea that James bases most of his practical exhortations on his theological foundations, especially his doctrine of God. Despite this great concept, which suits the book’s “applicable theology” genre, the chapter unfortunately falls victim to repetition and redundancy, with most of the content having been addressed multiple times already. Chapter 13, “James for the 21st Century Church”, seemed to promise some modern day application at last! Alas, the few broad, brief points Morgan raised in this three-page chapter were unsatisfying.
I enjoyed A Theology of James by Christopher Morgan. As I read it, I was encouraged and confronted by the teachings of James. Overall it succeeds in its purpose, being both readable and genuinely theological. I did weary of the repetition by the end of the book, and had Morgan made more of an effort to incorporate some points of modern day application the book would have been improved. The book makes worthy contributions to the academic study of James, and yet is also an accessible book that would make a great entry-level introduction to serious theology for an interested lay reader.
May 9, 2022
This is a very helpful overview of some of the main themes of the book of James, and a good resource for those teaching through the book. Christopher Morgan sees three interrelated themes at the heart of James: Wisdom, Consistency, and Community. The first two are regularly cited as central, but the theme of Community has often been neglected, even though "James is not writing primarily to encourage a collection of individuals to be wise or consistent, but to urge these churches to be wise and act consistently" (40).
As well as these key themes, there are chapters exploring Suffering, the Poor, Words, the Law, as well as a helpful (obligatory) chapter on Paul and James. There are then a few chapters looking at the more traditional theological foci of God, Jesus, Salvation, etc. There is a lot of wisdom in these pages, and it works well as a book to read through (although with some repetition), or to dip into to reflect on specific themes. Not too technical, so accessible to a wide spectrum of teachers and students of God's Word.
As well as these key themes, there are chapters exploring Suffering, the Poor, Words, the Law, as well as a helpful (obligatory) chapter on Paul and James. There are then a few chapters looking at the more traditional theological foci of God, Jesus, Salvation, etc. There is a lot of wisdom in these pages, and it works well as a book to read through (although with some repetition), or to dip into to reflect on specific themes. Not too technical, so accessible to a wide spectrum of teachers and students of God's Word.
June 19, 2019
It is an insightful and deliberate book that systematically surveys the theological themes of the book of James. There are some great contributions to understanding James and it is also a formidable reference book for a biblical theology in that specific letter as well.
January 26, 2021
3.5 actually.
The theological synthesis, the most important part, was far too thin. And the connection between wholeness or consistency and already/not yet eschatology in James was never made. But there was still enough in the first 10 chapters to make for a helpful overview of James.
The theological synthesis, the most important part, was far too thin. And the connection between wholeness or consistency and already/not yet eschatology in James was never made. But there was still enough in the first 10 chapters to make for a helpful overview of James.
April 22, 2020
Excellent resource on James and one of my favorite volumes from this series.
April 17, 2014
James has always been one of my favorite NT epistles. I am further biased toward this book as Morgan is a friend.
Note that it is a theology, not a commentary. The whole point is to root out James' theology, which Morgan summarizes as "wisdom for consistency in the [Christian] community."
After a good introduction to who James probably was, and when he wrote, Morgan spends chapters hitting the main points of the epistle: wisdom, consistency, suffering, the poor, our use of words, and God's Word/Law. He then concludes the theology proper with a good chapter on "James and Paul." As the reader may know, there is much discussion of whether or not James and Paul disagree on justification. Morgan believes the most important question to answer is this: to what teaching is James responding? Is he contradicting Paul? Is he responding to caricatures of Paul? Or is he not responding to Paul at all (perhaps writing before Romans was extant)? Morgan lands on the third option, and I agree. This allows us to realize that James is not contradicting Paul at all. He merely has different aims in diverse contexts. The compatibility issue isn't really an issue at all.
After summarizing James' teaching systematically in 25 pages, Morgan then concludes with a chapter that many writers would skip: how does James' theology effect the imperatives of the epistle? After all, that's the only reason to import theology into paraenesis: you're using it to convince your readers to DO something. I found this chapter the highlight of the book.
Note that it is a theology, not a commentary. The whole point is to root out James' theology, which Morgan summarizes as "wisdom for consistency in the [Christian] community."
After a good introduction to who James probably was, and when he wrote, Morgan spends chapters hitting the main points of the epistle: wisdom, consistency, suffering, the poor, our use of words, and God's Word/Law. He then concludes the theology proper with a good chapter on "James and Paul." As the reader may know, there is much discussion of whether or not James and Paul disagree on justification. Morgan believes the most important question to answer is this: to what teaching is James responding? Is he contradicting Paul? Is he responding to caricatures of Paul? Or is he not responding to Paul at all (perhaps writing before Romans was extant)? Morgan lands on the third option, and I agree. This allows us to realize that James is not contradicting Paul at all. He merely has different aims in diverse contexts. The compatibility issue isn't really an issue at all.
After summarizing James' teaching systematically in 25 pages, Morgan then concludes with a chapter that many writers would skip: how does James' theology effect the imperatives of the epistle? After all, that's the only reason to import theology into paraenesis: you're using it to convince your readers to DO something. I found this chapter the highlight of the book.
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May 9, 2012I always enjoy books by Chris. He is one of my favorite scholars on any subject. His commentary on James was stellar!
March 18, 2013
Good, short introduction to the message of James. Read this if you want on orientation to the main themes in this book of Scripture.
July 4, 2016
A fine work that deserves to supplement a pastor's commentary arsenal. Very biblically synthesized and amply interactive with the other key evangelical works on the Epistle.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews