Description: What can James teach us about mission?
While books on a New Testament theology of mission abound, most of them focus only on certain tried-and-true books and passages while often ignoring the contribution of the General Epistles. In Reading Hebrews Missiologically and Reading 1 Peter Missiologically, we began to address this gap in missiological scholarship, and we seek to continue in the same vein in this work on the book of James.
Reading James Missiologically explores the missionary dimensions of the Epistle of James through three parts: the missionary motive is the reason behind missionary efforts (the why), the missionary message reveals what missionaries communicate (the what), and the missionary methods outline strategies for mission (the how). The global contributors examine James's profound call to action among the poor and inspire believers toward holistic engagement with the world as "doers of the word, not hearers only" (Jas 1:22 ESV).
Brief description: Edward L. Smither (PhD, University of Wales-Trinity Saint David; PhD, University of Pretoria) is Dean of the School of Missions and Intercultural Ministry and Professor of History of Global Christianity at Columbia International University. Previously, he served for fourteen years in intercultural ministry in North Africa, France, and the USA. His previous books include Christian Mission: A Concise Global History and Mission as Hospitality.
Review Quotes:
An international cast of stellar biblical scholars and missiologists demonstrates repeatedly how important James is for a holistic mission that in no way relegates either personal conversion or social action to a subordinate role. A must read!
-Craig L. Blomberg, PhD
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary
This collection of essays deepens and expands the character of true mission and chart the way to engaging mission and evangelism in our day. A biblically based and socially conscious theology of missions par excellence!
-Rev. Esther E. Acolatse, PhD
Professor of Pastoral Theology and World Christianity & Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary