Criminals in Hong Kong and China are often superstitiously religious. Ironically, both they and police officers worship the same folk god, Guan Gong, who represents righteousness! But their religiosity has no moral consequences - what both groups are seeking is protection from their opponents.
Unfortunately, some Asian Christians have a similar model of religiosity. They want God's protection and blessings, but they do not want God to affect how they live. James will have none of this. He is convinced that our devotion to God must be reflected in the way we live, and so he writes a letter that is full of sound, practical advice. He exhorts us to control our tongues, he speaks against greed, envy, and wrong desires, and he gives wise advice about enduring suffering, praying for ailing believers, and restoring believers who are tempted to depart from the truth. Using Asian applications, this commentary of James highlights the relevance the triune God has in all contexts of life.
The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.
Show moreCriminals in Hong Kong and China are often superstitiously religious. Ironically, both they and police officers worship the same folk god, Guan Gong, who represents righteousness! But their religiosity has no moral consequences - what both groups are seeking is protection from their opponents.
Unfortunately, some Asian Christians have a similar model of religiosity. They want God's protection and blessings, but they do not want God to affect how they live. James will have none of this. He is convinced that our devotion to God must be reflected in the way we live, and so he writes a letter that is full of sound, practical advice. He exhorts us to control our tongues, he speaks against greed, envy, and wrong desires, and he gives wise advice about enduring suffering, praying for ailing believers, and restoring believers who are tempted to depart from the truth. Using Asian applications, this commentary of James highlights the relevance the triune God has in all contexts of life.
The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.
Show moreLUKE L. CHEUNG earned his PhD from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, and is Wilson Chow Professor and Vice-President of China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong. He is also an ordained minister for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Hong Kong Presbytery. ANDREW B. SPURGEON earned his PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas, USA, and is Professor of New Testament Studies at School of Theology (English) at Singapore Bible College, Singapore. He is the Chairperson of Publications for the Asia Theological Association and one of the New Testament editors for the Asia Bible Commentary Series.
Drs Cheung and Spurgeon have given us a valuable resource that is
both culturally sensitive and pastorally relevant. Their commentary
of the Book of James is careful, comprehensive, and contextually
relevant with many current examples from the Majority World.
Readers looking for answers on issues like favoritism, controlling
the tongue, and healing will find benefit from this very accessible
commentary.Rev Desmond Soh, DMin
Senior Director, Strategic Development,
Associate Professor of Practical Theology,
Singapore Bible College, SingaporeLuke Cheung and Andrew Spurgeon
have given us a commentary on James that is outstanding. Erudite
scholarship, relevant contextual application and a clear, engaging
style brings the book of James alive to the Asian reader. Drawing
upon insights from the text and its historical setting, the authors
help the readers bridge the gap from biblical times to the present
Asian context. Pastors, teachers and students of the Word will find
plenty to chew on as they prepare to preach and teach in their
local congregations and theological institutions. This is an
indispensable book that must find a place in personal, church and
institutional libraries.Paul Cornelius, PhD
Regional Secretary (India), Asia Theological AssociationHere you
will find a fresh approach with new insights but also one that
interacts with recent scholarship and applies the letter of James
to Asian contexts. The style is very readable with insightful
studies on pertinent Greek words that bring fuller meaning to the
exhortations in the epistle without becoming overly technical. For
example, the authors clarify that the Greek shows us that "trials
are neutral; what matters is how we respond to them" (James
1:14-15). The volume is also full of insights on the book's
structure, summary statements following each section, and many
illustrations from Chinese sayings and other relevant passages in
the Bible. You will love this book!Rick Griffith, DMin
Director (English), Associate Professor of Biblical Studies,
Singapore Bible College, Singapore
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