High Definition Commentary: James

by Steven Runge

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2015

James in High Definition

Study and teach James like never before! Dr. Steve Runge, author of Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament, provides discourse-based commentary, featuring custom-designed slides to use in your teaching. Talented designers tailored these infographics to illustrate the key ideas of each passage, and you can export them for use in your own sermons or Bible studies.

Divided into preachable chunks, this commentary draws on insights from the six-volume Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament to examine the linguistic and literary clues in the text, highlighting what you need to know. Dr. Runge follows the flow of the book, presenting the big ideas of each passage and applying his linguistic and exegetical expertise to guide your study. The High Definition Commentary: James is a one-of-a-kind Bible teaching tool, and it’s only available from Lexham Press.

 

Praise for High Definition Commentary: James

Everyone who reads commentaries on biblical books knows they have different strengths. Some focus on words, others on Greek syntax, others on critical theory, still others on theological reflection – and a few attempt a bit of everything. This High Definition Commentary: James (which follows up on Steven Runge's earlier HD commentaries on Philippians and Romans) reads James through the discipline of discourse analysis. The focus is less on what James says than on how he says it, so as better to appreciate the flow and emphases of what he writes. Runge's earlier volume, Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament: A Practical Introduction of Teaching and Exegesis (2010) unpacks his take on this discipline and tells readers how to use discourse analysis as they study the Greek New Testament, but does not do it for them. These HD commentaries do it for them in a readable, simple, helpful way, pitched at those who want to understand the flow of the argument but whose Greek is minimal (or even non-existent). Readers who depend on visual learning will appreciate the clear and simple graphics; others will happily skip over them. But all will be helped to ponder with fresh eyes some of the easily overlooked elements of what God has given us through his servant James.

—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

What happens when you take the results of Greek discourse analysis, traditional exegesis, and creative high-tech graphics and apply them all to the Letter of James in order to write a “bottom-shelf,” highly accessible, succinct commentary? You get this wonderful, little book. It is reliable, easy to read, insightful and convicting all at once!

—Craig Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

Not many authors are able to produce high-end scholarship while also being able to put the cookies on the lower shelf for everyone’s benefit. Steve Runge again shows that he is one such author with this fresh exposition of the letter of James, in an exciting and original commentary series. If you want to grasp the big picture of James, and understand how the picture is put together, this commentary will prove very helpful. Warmly recommended.

—Constantine R. Campbell, Associate Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Top Highlights

“He portrays temptation as a process rather than an event.” (Page 26)

“No! Instead, James is concerned with making plans for the future without ever considering—or asking—what God already has planned for us.” (Page 87)

“‘Perfect’ captures the idea of wholeness and completeness rather than moral perfection.” (Page 13)

“Our muscles will atrophy without exercise. Working out by lifting weights tests the muscles, actually tearing them. As they heal, the muscles become stronger and are able to endure more strenuous workouts. Similarly we strengthen our moral character as we face temptation and choose not to give in to our desires. The less we indulge our desires to sin, the more capable of avoiding temptation we become.” (Page 14)

“And instead of having a negative view of trials—as though they were some kind of punishment—James urges us in an unexpected direction, considering them pure joy based on the important role they play in our growth.” (Page 12)

Product Details

• Title: High Definition Commentary: James
• Author: Steven E. Runge
• Series: High Definition Commentaries
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 144
• Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
• Trim Size: 7.5x9
• ISBN: 9781577996309

About Steven Runge

Steve Runge has a Doctor of Literature degree in biblical languages from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, supervised by Christo Van der Merwe. He currently serves as a research associate affiliated with the department of ancient studies at the University of Stellenbosch.

In preparation for his doctoral research, Steve completed several years of study in the linguistic fields of pragmatics and discourse grammar. This culminated in attending a workshop on discourse analysis offered by SIL/Wycliffe Bible Translators, facilitated by Stephen H. Levinsohn. He has also earned a Master of Theological Studies degree in biblical languages from Trinity Western Seminary in Langley, BC, and a BA in speech communication from Western Washington University.

Steve has served as a visiting professor teaching Greek discourse grammar at Knox Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Northwest Baptist Theological College, Trinity Western University, and Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) while completing his education. He is very active in the church. He and his wife were married in 1990. They have two daughters, and live in Bellingham.