James: An Honor-Shame Paraphrase

by Daniel K. Eng, Jayson Georges (Editor)

With fresh language and research insights, Dr. Daniel K. Eng unpacks the honor-shame themes of James. He deftly traces James’ main exhortation to remain loyal to God alone and the pastoral strategies for developing biblical community. With an introduction to the socio-cultural context of the epistle, this book clearly presents the original, cultural meaning of James. Readers often misinterpret Scripture for a simple reason—our culture is very different from the ancient cultures of the Bible. For example, Westerners are often “blind” to the social dynamics of honor and shame. The Honor-Shame Paraphrase helps you understand the Bible according to its original cultural context. We highlight social nuances to unlock the meaning of Scripture in insightful and accessible ways. This series is ideal for personal devotions, teaching preparation, ministry preparation, Bible studies, and life groups. AUTHOR Daniel K. Eng is a PhD Candidate in Biblical Studies at the University of Cambridge. He is a graduate of Talbot School of Theology (ThM, Bible Exposition; DMin, Asian American Ministry) and has served as a pastor in churches in California, Texas, and the United Kingdom. He is the author of journal articles on honor/shame as well as the epistle of James. His thesis focuses on divine approval in James in view of the Septuagint, intertestamental literature, and the sayings of Jesus. ENDORSEMENTS “The proliferation of Bible translations today results from debates about the best ‘literal’ rendering of ancient linguistic and grammatical forms into modern languages. Daniel Eng’s paraphrase of James takes this a step farther by highlighting more subtle social and cultural matters of the ancient world, related to family, community, loyalty, and allegiance. Its implications for our theology and our church cannot be underestimated. Indeed, it offers an important corrective for today’s Christianity informed by Western cultural values.” —Dr. Alexander Chow, Senior Lecturer in Theology and World Christianity, University of Edinburgh, author of Chinese Public Theology "Daniel Eng is imminently qualified to write an honor-shame paraphrase of James. His doctoral studies have given him a thorough understanding of the book, and his experiences in an Asian culture enable him to readily see the honor-shame nuances of the letter. Equally significant, he shows that James is not simply a collection of disconnected pearls, but is instead a progressive unfolding of a single theme—“God esteems those who persevere in loyalty to him.” An added bonus for preachers are the many delightful contemporary expressions for biblical phrases. This is an engaging and valuable book!" —Donald R. Sunukjian, Professor of Preaching, Talbot School of Theology, author of Invitation to James "Daniel K. Eng’s Honor-Shame Paraphrase of James is a true treasure and an excellent tool for studying the social-cultural background of James. … Preachers, in general, will welcome this paraphrase as a powerful resource for illustrating the biblical text. I highly recommend this work for any serious student of James." —Rev. Hanley Liu, English Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut "I plan to use this translation in future courses on the epistle of James to help my students break out of their preconceptions of this challenging little text." —Dr. Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn, Professor at Regent College, author of Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament “What Eng has successfully done with his paraphrase of James is provide modern readers access to the ancient context of an important New Testament epistle.

30 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2018

Reviews

[David S Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearing James as it should sound

The huge distance between us and the first century leaves us often unable to hear the nuances of the text. In modern and accessible language Eng paraphrases James in a way that alerts us to some of the subtleties of the letter. Things there that modern readers easily miss.

If you’re studying or preaching on James take a few moments and read this first. It will help you hear more of what James was getting at and in doing so better inform what you then do with this letter.

[Walter R. Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

New insights

Though I had read one of Jayson Georges' books previously, this book by Daniel Eng was very helpful in understanding what James is saying. It enables me to see more practically what James is trying to get across. From almost the first I was glad to have purchased this small book. As a leader of a Bible study group now going through the book of James, the timing was perfect and I look forward to sharing what is expressed by James.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I know the author, and am therefore not surprised that this little work is thoughtful, thought provoking and carefully researched. Although primarily aimed at those in or ministering to honour-shame cultures it does give a fresh and complementary perspective for western readers as well.

[Paul Herriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, I think this series has a real value to people that are doing ministry anywhere. Subtle honor/shame paradigms in the text are brought into the light.

[David Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Communal not Individual: This is part of a series of social-cultural expositions, not translations, of books of the Bible. Especially striking in James is the communal or collective dynamics in living out loyalty to God.