James

James
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James: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

About James:

In a world where image is everything, the Epistle of James calls Christians to "get real!" Author J. Michael Walters echoes James's cry that "virtual spirituality" cannot sustain authentic faith. The call to "true religion," as Walters labels it, is a call to arms for every disciple and discipler of our day. Walters reminds us that few aspects of the human experience are as prone to being phony as is religious faith. Christianity can become a matter of believing certain things without any real effect on the rest of life. There must be a recovery of authenticity in people's faith practices and a total commitment of their hearts to God. That is the intent of this epistle. James means to call his readers home. As one schooled in the disciplines of pastoral ministry, Walters identifies in the epistle's writer a pastor's heart filled with conviction and compassion. James has gained a well-deserved reputation for presenting a no-nonsense approach to Christianity. He minces no words as he calls his readers back to the foundations of an authentic, biblical faith. Back to true religion, as opposed to the empty hype of pretend religion. Back to the practice of wholehearted spirituality that has characterized the authentic people of God from the beginning.

About J. Michael Walters:

J. Michael Walters, D.Min., is a professor of Christian ministries, the director of ministerial education, and preacher-in-residence at Houghton College in Houghton, NY. He has been an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church for twenty years and most recently served as pastor of Houghton Wesleyan Church (1982-95).

Description of J. Michael Walters, author of James:

Written from a Wesleyan perspective, this commentary follows your Bible, paragraph by paragraph, making it easy to find answers to the questions that arise in your personal devotions or in Bible study. Pastors today say that the biggest problem in churches is soft commitment, which makes this thorough study of James' short letter on active righteousness very timely. Walters ties James to our own history, showing how much John Wesley drew on James' call to practical holiness and social concern in his own preaching.