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Summary: "James" Set Free
Review: For many years, the traditional interpretations of James left me unconvinced and led to more questions than answers. The relation between faith and works has typically received strained and nebulous explanations. The tiny New Testament epistle of James was the centerpiece for most of this confusion.Hodges masterfully clears away many incorrect presuppositions concerning James, and verse-by-verse, introduces us to a clear understanding of the faith-works relationship. The conclusions Hodges draws out of this epistle seem so obvious and clear (this is Zane's gift), yet theological tradition and preconceived ideas prevent us from seeing what it is James wanted us to see. Key to this new understanding are discussions on: 1) two types of justification, 2) a different sense of salvation other than "from hell," 3) the objection to James found in 2:18-20, and 4) that the faith mentioned in James characterizes the stage of Christian experience AFTER regeneration. Needless to say, these are merely the confused passages of James. But Hodges goes on to draw out the many other gems contained in this epistle with the same exegetical skill and simplicity. The only point on which I might disagree is his position concerning textual material. Hodges prefers the Majority Text in the few places where textual criticism is discussed. But this really does not affect the understanding of James which he presents to us. A truly valuable work for New Testament and theological studies.
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Summary: Absolute tripe.
Review: In his classic _Exegetical Fallacies_ [(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 137], Professor Don Carson has this to say about Hodges' tortured interpretation of James 2: "Perhaps one of the most intriguing--and disturbing--features of Zane C. Hodges's book. . . is that to the best of my knowledge not one significant interpreter of Scripture in the entire history of the church has held to Hodges' interpretation of the passages he treats. That does not necessarily mean Hodges is wrong; but it certainly means he is probably wrong, and it probably means he has not reflected seriously enough on the array of fallacies connected with [reading one's own presuppositions into the biblical text]." Hodges' book is a classic example of agenda-driven exegesis. This is his desperate attempt to explain away the plain meaning of James's epistle. This Hodges MUST attempt to do, because his theology of no-lordship is so seriously at odds with the plain truth of the text of Scripture.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute tripe.
Review: In his classic _Exegetical Fallacies_ [(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 137], Professor Don Carson has this to say about Hodges' tortured interpretation of James 2: "Perhaps one of the most intriguing--and disturbing--features of Zane C. Hodges's book. . . is that to the best of my knowledge not one significant interpreter of Scripture in the entire history of the church has held to Hodges' interpretation of the passages he treats. That does not necessarily mean Hodges is wrong; but it certainly means he is probably wrong, and it probably means he has not reflected seriously enough on the array of fallacies connected with [reading one's own presuppositions into the biblical text]." Hodges' book is a classic example of agenda-driven exegesis. This is his desperate attempt to explain away the plain meaning of James's epistle. This Hodges MUST attempt to do, because his theology of no-lordship is so seriously at odds with the plain truth of the text of Scripture.
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Summary: Theology at its Finest
Review: This book is one of my favorites out of all my commentary collection. James is one of the primary books on faith and I feel that with this commentary you are able to grasp the full meaning and power that faith plays in a Christians walk.
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