The Epistle of James Within Judaism - by A Boyd Luter (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this volume, A. Boyd Luter initially makes the case that the Letter of James was the first New Testament document and that it was written for a primarily Messianic Jewish audience in the Diaspora. Its early origin places James as the foundational Messianic Jewish Scripture of the new covenant era. That, however, is a drastically different take on the letter's dating, audience, and purpose from the long-held supersessionist view in which Israel is replaced by the church. In the supersessionist understanding, James is one of the later New Testament books, originating supposedly at a time when it was already expected for the church to be symbolically "the twelve tribes in the Diaspora." And, since a common first impression of the letter is that its style is reflective of Old Testament wisdom literature, it was taken as dealing with practical issues of the Christian life through a staccato format much like Proverbs. Instead, through the elegant literary vehicle of an overarching inverted parallel structure, the Letter of James communicates its author's approach to issues among his Messianic Jewish audience related to spiritual growth and purity, as well as putting away class-based favoritism and the relationship between faith and works.

Review Quotes

"More than any other book in the New Testament, James (Jacob) must be read against its first-century, Messianic Jewish background. A. Boyd Luter, a careful student of the Scriptures with a deep understanding of the significance of Israel's salvation, provides a reliable guide to this important book. Read and be enlightened as well as edified."

--Michael L. Brown, author of Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus (5 vols.)



"A. Boyd Luter's Reading James after Supersessionism offers us an engaging journey through one of the most celebrated letters of the New Testament. Luter writes with deep passion about the Messianic Jewish setting of the Letter of James as he makes a convincing case for the post-supersessionist interpretation of the letter. This book offers a unique spiritual inquiry into the letter's theology, ecclesiology, and orthopraxy. It's worth reading!"

--Igal German, Old Testament faculty, Moody Theological Seminary

About the Author

A. Boyd Luter is professor emeritus of research and bible at The King's University, Southlake, Texas.