James

The letter of James delivers a clear message: faith in Jesus Christ must shape how we live. James calls individual believers and the church to live with integrity, ensuring that belief and knowledge are reflected in words and actions. Although the letter is sometimes perceived as disjointed pieces of advice, this commentary contends that James has a coherent message intended to prod the church toward greater faithfulness and to encourage people to follow Jesus in all of life. The intensely practical letter is not merely a checklist of rules to follow to be "good people." Rather, it is rooted in God's grace, goodness, and generosity and in the good news that we are made new through the word of truth.

In this 38th volume in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series, scholar Sheila Klassen-Wiebe interprets the letter of James with a view to its original Jewish Christian readers, its place in the broader biblical story, and its continued resonance today.

About the Believers Church Bible Commentary series

This readable commentary series is for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today--Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers.

--From the Series Foreword

Sheila Klassen-Wiebe is associate professor of New Testament at Canadian Mennonite University, where she teaches New Testament and Bible courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She has degrees from Canadian Mennonite Bible College, the University of Manitoba, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary.Klassen-Wiebe is enthusiastic about making the Bible come alive for people, both in university and church settings.

Klassen-Wiebe's home congregation in Winnipeg is Charleswood Mennonite Church, where she is actively involved. She and her husband Vern have three adult daughters. When she is not working, Klassen-Wiebe finds joy in getting her hands dirty in the garden, walking in the forest, making decadent desserts, and spending time with family and friends.