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Wisdom from heaven

Really useful

WISDOM FROM HEAVEN
The message of James for today
By Derek Tidball
Christian Focus. 224 pages
ISBN 1 85792 865 2

This is a commentary on the letter of James. It covers the entire letter, but not in the usual verse-by-verse manner. Rather, the author adopts a topic-by-topic approach, grouping together in each chapter of the commentary all the passages in the letter which deal with a single topic.

So, after a brief introduction to the letter, the first chapter deals with 'Trouble and how to meet it'. The author here gathers together the three passages in James which address the subject of trouble (1.1-4, 12-18; 5.7-11), and comments on them all. Subsequent chapters deal with 'Wisdom and how to obtain it'; 'Wealth and how to treat it'; 'Religion and how to practise it'; and so on. The result is a fresh and helpful approach to James, though doubtless something is lost in not pursuing James's own flow of thought, in ordering his letter in the way he did.

James wrote a very practical letter, and this commentary is therefore, naturally, very practical. However, we are not left wondering why we are being urged to act in a particular way. The author is careful to bring out the reasons underlying James's practical instruction, often bringing us back to the nature of God, the work of Christ, and what it means to be a Christian. This helps to bring out the sharpness of James's critique in many areas of great relevance to Western Christians (wealth, relationships, the use of the tongue, etc.), while at the same time demonstrating the true means by which these issues are to be addressed - ultimately, living faith in the Christ who has loved us and redeemed us from sin and worldliness.

The book is suitable for any Christian who wants to take a careful look at James's letter. The author's style is straightforward and friendly, with generous use of illustration, but not superficial. It would also be useful for Bible study and sermon preparation, though preachers would probably want to supplement it with some more technical helps.

Robert Strivens,
pastor, Banbury Evangelical Free Church