Though James is well-loved for its practical wisdom and challenging call to consider trials fullest joy because of how they produce enduring faith, the letter is often underappreciated regarding its theology.
The two major goals of Brandon Crowe “James Revisited” (Baker Academic, 2026) are announced in the subtitle: biblical theology and Christology. The goal of the work is to read James within the larger story of Scripture and in light of the confession of Jesus as the Christ.
In “James Revisited,” Crowe — a PCA teaching elder and professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia — provides a close reading of several key themes in the letter of James that are illuminated in the light of Scripture’s fullness and grounded in the early apostolic faith in the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ.
With this goal as a starting point, Crowe provides his reader with seven concluding theses about James, Scripture, and doctrine. He argues that James does the following in his letter:
- Attests the unity of Scripture and apostolic doctrine
- Writes in light of the realities of Christ’s person and work
- Emphasizes the need for true faith
- Does not pit faith and works against one another
- Emphasizes the ongoing authority of God’s law
- Writes in the hope of Christ’s future return
- Crafts an epistle that remains relevant for the church today
The context, themes, and theology of James are outlined in nine chapters followed by a brief conclusion. The chapters develop individual themes with only the first and ninth in a necessary order. Chapter One sets the stage by considering James as a historical figure and outlining the character of the letter itself, whereas Chapter Nine focuses on James and the future return of Christ.
In between, Crowe developed themes of James and Jesus, faith, wisdom and works, the Kingdom of God, the law, perfection, and hypocrisy. Some of these chapters relate more directly to James’ Christology (Chapter Two for example), but each chapter demonstrates an attempt to connect the content of the Letter of James to the rest of Scripture.
Throughout the study Crowe is careful to state the most fruitful way to appreciate James is to start with his text, reading it carefully without allowing other biblical voices to speak over James’ message. As an example of doing this, Crowe addresses the centrality of faith in James before tackling the issue of faith and works (and whether James and Paul are at odds with each other). James has his own way of stressing the centrality of faith in the life of following Jesus and considering the latter before the former would interfere with our attempt to clearly receive James’s message. Here Crowe helpfully foregrounds James’ particular contribution to biblical theology.
Crowe is currently writing a more technical commentary on the Letter of James, and this work reads as some of the more integrative and theologically rich material that might have been destined for the cutting room floor if it were not for finding a place in “James Revisited.”
One might press Crowe on how quickly Paul becomes an example of choice to illuminate James’ understanding of Christology, the people of God, or eschatology. It can be tricky to unfold James’ understanding of Christ or God’s people when he does not give the background of his thinking. Often, I think Crowe is correct in pointing to supporting passages throughout Scripture that illuminate James’ convictions, but every once in a while I would have pressed for more details. Thus, I very much look forward to reading his commentary to learn more.
“James Revisited” achieves its goal of appreciating James within the larger story of Scripture and in light of apostolic Christology. Here we have a helpful framework for understanding James’ wisdom for the church today.
Darian Lockett serves as professor of New Testament in the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is a teaching elder in South Coast Presbytery.