James and Cross-cultural Wisdoms (12-621)

 

Mon 12:45-3:45, Jan 29-May 2, 2007

 

Instructor: Yeo Khiok-khng (K.K.), PhD

Tel: 847.674-3135 (home)

E-mail: kkyeo@garrett.edu

Faculty webpage: http://www.garrett.edu/content.asp?C=1080&instructorid=101582

 

 

A.    Course Description

         A selected study of the book of James, focusing on its literary and theological readings, experimenting with various hermeneutical theories of rhetoric and intertextuality on cross-cultural wisdoms (such as ancient Jewish, Greco-Roman, Chinese, Islamic, African-American, etc.).  Attention will be given to the history of scholarly discussion as well as to issues in modern hermeneutics through both traditional historical-critical and modern methodologies.

The main teachings and especially the theological themes found in James will be explored. They will then be interpreted to address modern issues (such as rich and poor, justice and piety, healing and reconciliation, sin and salvation, anthropology and ethics, etc). 

 

B. Assignments and Textbooks

         The course will be conducted mainly in seminars, beginning with short lecture and proceed with class discussion on wisdom traditions in various cultures.  Besides reading the assigned material, each student is asked to lead one class session of their choice.

         The second assignment is to encourage the development of a major exegetical and hermeneutical skills with the biblical material, the paper is due May 7, 2007 (graduating senior the deadline is much earlier). The paper is limited to 10 single-spaced pages, with the following two sections: exegetical or theological interpretation of a text/motif, and intertextual reading of such text/theme with an extra-biblical wisdom tradition/text/theme or with a modern issue. 

 

 

    Textbooks:

A. Required/Main Texts:

1.    Rad, Gerhard von. Wisdom in Israel. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1972.

2.    Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Anchor Bible. The Letter of James. New York: Doubleday, 1995.

3.    Bauckham, Richard. James, Wisdom of James, Disciple of Jesus the Sage. London: Routledge, 1999. No purchase necessary, available as electronic text at NUCat if you have NetID and password: http://nucat.library.northwestern.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=14&ti=1,14&SC=Author&SA=Bauckham%2C%20Richard%2E&PID=5085&SEQ=20060331163844&SID=2

B. Supplemental Texts:

1.    Johnson, Luke Timothy. Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2004.

2.     Tamez, Elsa. The Scandalous Message of James: Faith Without Works is Dead. Trans. John Eagleson. New York: Crossroad, 2002.

3.    Reserved Folder of articles at United Library (Garrett side)

 

C. Class Schedule and Assignments

Jan 29: Syllabi and Assignments; James the Writer, the Community

   Reading: Johnson, 89-120

   Supplemental: Johnson, Luke Timothy. Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2004; Chilton, Bruce and Jacob Neusner ed. The Brother of Jesus: James the Just and His Mission. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001; D.J. Verseput, Genre and Story: The Community Setting of the Epistle of James, CathBibQuart 62 (1, 2000), 96-110.

 

Feb 5: James the Text and its Reception

   Reading: Johnson, 1-25, 124-164

   Supplement: Cheung, Luke L. The Genre, Composition and Hermeneutics of the Epistle of James. Waynesboro: Paternoster Press, 2003: R.B. Crotty, The Literary Structure of the Letter of James, AusBibRev 40 (1992), 45-57; T.C. Penner, The Epistle of James in Current Research, CurrResBibStud 7 (1999), 257-308.

 

Feb 12: James the Text and its Intertextuality (1): Jewish: Old Testament

   Reading: Johnson, 29-33; von Rad, Wisdom in Israel, 1-185. 

           V.K. Robbins, Making Christian Culture in the Epistle of James, Scriptura 59 (1996), 341-351; W. Popkes, James and Scripture: An Exercise in Intertextuality, NTStud 45 (2, 1999), 213-229;

   Supplemental: W. Popkes, The Composition of James and Intertextuality: An Exercise in Methodology, StudTheol 51 (2, 1997), 91-112.

 

Feb 19: James the Text and its Intertextuality (2): Jewish: Hellenistic

  Reading: Johnson, 34-45; von Rad, Wisdom in Israel, 186-320. 

 

Feb 26: James the Text and its Intertextuality (3): Greco-Romans and Metaphorical Reading

   Reading: Johnson, 27-28, 66-88; Yeo, Rhetorical Interaction, Chapter Three (pp. 15-49).

   Supplemental: L. Thurn, Risky Rhetoric in James? NovTest 37 (3, 1995), 262-284; Ong, S.H. A Strategy for a Metaphorical Reading of the Epistle of James. Lanham: University Press of America, 1996; Hartin, P.J., A Spirituality of Perfection. Faith in Action in the Letter of James. MN: Liturgical Press, 1999; Smith, John Lorel. Form in Relationship to Function: The Literary Genre of the Epistle of James in Light of Greco-Roman Literary Studies. MTS Thesis, Garrett-Evangelical, 1998.

 

March 5: James the Text and its Intertextuality (4): New Testament and James 1:2-27

   Reading:  Johnson, 48-63; 167-216.

   Supplemental: Wachob, Wesley Hiram. The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of James. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000; Jackson-McCabe, Matt A. Logos and Law in the Letter of James: The Law of Nature, the Law of Moses, and the Law of Freedom. Leiden: Brill, 2001; D.J. Verseput, James 1:17 and the Jewish Morning Prayers, Novum Testamentum 39(2, 1997): 177-191.

 
March 11:  No class: Library Research for term paper
 
March 19: James 2:1-26 (Genuine Faith: Impartiality and Works) and James 3:1-12 (Person and Word: Tongue)

   Reading: Johnson, 217-266; Tamez, Elsa. The Scandalous Message of James: Faith Without Works is Dead. Trans. John Eagleson. New York: Crossroad, 2002.

   Supplement: Edgar, David Hutchinson. Has God not Chosen the Poor?: The Social Setting of the Epistle of James. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001; Kiekegaard, Fear and Trembling; Baker, William R. Personal Speech-ethics in the Epistle of James. Tbingen: Mohr, 1995.

        

March 26: James 3:13-4:10 (Genuine Wisdom: and Drawing Near to God) and James 4:11-5:6 (Eschatology and Wealth)
   Reading: Johnson, 267-310

  Supplement: P.J. Hartin, Who is Wise and Understanding Among You (Jas 3:13)? An Analysis of Wisdom, Eschatology and Apocalypticism in the Epistle of James, HervTeolStud 53 (4, 1997): 969-999; Penner. Todd C. The Epistle of James and Eschatology: Re-reading an Ancient Christian Letter.  Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996

 

April 2, 9: Spring Break
 
April 16: James 5:7-20 (Suffering, Healing, Spirituality)

   Reading: Johnson, 311-347

   Supplement: M.C. Albi, Are Any among You Sick? The Health Care System in the Letter of James, JBL 121 (1, 2002), 123-143; J.H. Elliott, The Epistle of James in Rhetorical and Social Scientific Perspective: Holiness-Wholeness and Patterns of Replication, BibTheolBull 23 (2, 1993), 71-81.

 

April 23: James and Copenhagen (Kiekegaard) and Confucian Moralists

   Reading: Bauckham, James, Wisdom of James, Disciple of Jesus the Sage.

 

April 30: Dialogue with an Islamic scholar

 

D. Grade Summary (based on 400 points and 4-point scale)

         Class Participation                                             60

         Leading class session                                          140

         Term paper                                             200

                            Total:                                     400

Expectations:

     1. Attendance is expected. Absence or tardiness will result in drop of one full letter grade.

     2. All assignments submitted in order to get a passing grade.

     3. Papers will be graded based on the following criteria: (a) consistent and proper style/documentation; (b) clear and succinct writing/expression; (c) ability to do research and use scholarly material; (d) coherent and convincing content as well as argumentation and exegetical steps; (e) relevant and creative hermeneutics.

    

E. Bibliography

Adamson,  James B. James: The Man And His Message. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1989.

Baker, William R. Personal Speech-ethics in the Epistle of James. Tbingen: Mohr, 1995.

Barrett, Ethel. Will The Real Phony Please Stand Up. Glendale: Regal Books. 1969.

Bauckham, Richard. James, Wisdom of James, Disciple of Jesus the Sage. London: Routledge, 1999.

Burchard, Christoph. Der Jakobusbrief. Tbingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2000.

Calvin, John. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles. reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1948.

Cantinat, Jean. Les ptres de saint Jacques et de saint Jude. Paris: J. Gabalda, 1973.

Carol, T.B. Restoring the Diaspora. Discursive and Purpose in the Epistle of James. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1993.

Cheung, Luke L. The Genre, Composition and Hermeneutics of the Epistle of James. Waynesboro: Paternoster Press, 2003.

Chilton, Bruce and Jacob Neusner ed. The Brother of Jesus: James the Just and His Mission. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001.

Criswell, Wallie A. Expository Sermons On the Epistle of James. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. [n.d.].

Davids, Peter H. The Epistle Of James: A Commentary On The Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1982.

Deiros, Pablo Alberto. Santiago, Judas. Miami: Editorial Caribe, 1992.

Dibelius, Martin, rev. by H. Greeven. James, Hermeneia. Trans. M.A. Williams, 1976.

Edgar, David Hutchinson. Has God not Chosen the Poor?: The Social Setting of the Epistle of James. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

Felder, Cain Hope. Wisdom, Law and Social Concern in the Epistle of James [UMI microform]. PhD, Columbia University, 1982.

Fickett, Harold L. James. Glendale: Regal Books. 1972.

Gieger, Loren G. Figures of Speech in the Epistle of James [UMI microfilm]. PhD, Southwestern Baptist, 1981.

Harlow, Gertrud I. Prove your Faith:Studies In James. Toronto: Everyday. 1981.

Hartin, Patrick J. James And The Q Sayings Of Jesus. Sheffield: JSOT. 1991.

Hartin, Patrick J. A Spirituality of Perfection. Faith in Action in the Letter of James. MN: Liturgical Press, 1999.

Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Epistle Of James: Tests Of A Living Faith. Chicago: Moody. 1979.

Hort, F.J.A. The Epistle of St. James. London: Macmillan, 1909.

Hubbard, David A. The Book Of James  Wisdom That Works. Waco: Word. 1980.

Isaacs, Marie E. Reading Hebrews and James: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Macon: Smyth & Helwys, 2002.

Jackson-McCabe, Matt A. Logos and Law in the Letter of James: The Law of Nature, the Law of Moses, and the Law of Freedom. Leiden: Brill, 2001.

Jensen, Irving L. James: A Self-study Guide. Chicago: Moody. 1990.

Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Anchor Bible. The Letter of James. New York: Doubleday, 1995.

Johnson, Luke Timothy. Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2004.

Kierkegaard, Sren. The Sickness unto Death. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980. electronic: http://nucat.library.northwestern.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=10&ti=1,10&Search_Arg=sickness+unto+death&SL=None&Search_Code=TALL&PID=18264&CNT=25&SEQ=20041227043430&SID=1

Kierkegaard, Sren. Fear and Trembling. New York: St. Martins Press, 2001.

King, Guy H. A Belief That Behaves: An Expositional Study Of The Epistle Of James. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott. 1941.

Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition Of The Epistle Of James And The Epistles Of John. Grand Rapids: Baker. 1986.

Klein, Martin. Ein vollkommenes Werk: Vollkommenheit, Gesetz und Gericht als theologische Themen des Jakobusbriefes. Stuttgart: W. Kohlhammer, 1995.

Knowling, R.J. The Epistle of St. James. 2nd ed. London: Methuen, 1910.

Kugelman, Richard. James and Jude. Wilmington: Michael Glazia. 1980.

Lang, John Peter. Commentary On The Holy Scriptures: James. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. [n.d.].

Laws, S. The Epistle of James. Harper & Row, 1980.

Lenski, R.C.H. The Interpretation Of The Epistle To The Hebrews And The Epistle Of James. Columbus: Wartburg. 1946.

Loh, I-Jin and Howard A. Hatton. A Handbook on the Letter from James. New York: United Bible Societies, 1997.

Martin,  R.A. and John H. Eilliott. James, I, II, Peter/Jude. Minneapolis: Augsburg. 1982.

Martin, Ralph P. James, WBC. Waco, Texas: Word, 1988.

Maynard-Reid, P.V. Poverty and Wealth in James. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1987.

Mayor, Joseph B. The Epistle Of St. James. Minneapolis: Klock & Klock. 1977.

Mills, Watson E. James. Lewiston: Mellen Biblical Press, 2001. [*bibliography]

Moffatt, J. The General Epistles: James, Peter , and Judas. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1928.

Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James, TNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.

Motyer, J.A. The Message Of James  The Tests Of Faith. Leicester: IVP. 1985.

Mussner, Franz, Der Jakobusbrief. Frieburg: Herder, 1981.

Ogilvie, Lloyd John. Making Stress Work For You  Ten Proven Principles With Built-in Study Guide. Waco: Word. 1985.

Ong, S.H. A Strategy for a Metaphorical Reading of the Epistle of James. Lanham: University Press of America, 1996.

Penner. Todd C. The Epistle of James and Eschatology: Re-reading an Ancient Christian Letter.  Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.

Perkins, Pheme. First and Second Peter, James, and Jude. Louisville: John Knox, 1995.

Pettingill, William L. Simple Studies in the Epistles of James, 1,2 Peter;1,2,3 John. Findlay: Fundamental Truth. [n.d.].

Plummer, Alfred. The General Epistles Of St. James And St. Jude. New York: A.C. Armstrong. 1903.

Popkes, Wiard. Adressaten, situation, und Form des Jakobusbriefe, SBS 125/126. Stuttgart: Katholisches, 1986.

Popkes, Wiard. Der Brief des Jakobus. Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 2001.

Rad, Gerhard von. Wisdom in Israel. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1972.

Reicke, Bo. The Epistle Of James, Peter, And Jude: Introduction, Translation, And Notes. New York: Doubleday. 1964.

Rendall, G.H. The Epistle of St. James and Judaistic Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1927.

Roper, David. The Law that Sets you Free!: Book of James. Waco: Word, 1977.

Ropes, James Hardy. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle of St. James, ICC. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1916.

Ross, Alexander. The Epistle Of James And John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1954.

Ruckstuhl, Eugen. Jakobusbrief, 1.-3. Wrzburg: Echter Verlag, 1985.

Schnider, Franz. Der Jakobusbrief. Regensburg: Verlag F. Pustet, 1987.

Schierse, Franz Joseph. Brief an die Hebrer. English [The Epistle to the Hebrews by F.J. Schierse and The Epistle of St. James by Otto Knoch, trans. Eenen Fahy]. New York: Herder and Herder, 1969.

Sidebottom, E.M. James, Jude, 2 Peter: Based on the Revised Standard Version. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

Simpson, A.B. The Epistle Of James. Hainsburg: Christian. [n.d.].

Sleeper, C. Freeman. James. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.

Smith, John Lorel. Form in Relationship to Function: The Literary Genre of the Epistle of James in Light of Greco-Roman Literary Studies. MTS Thesis, Garrett-Evangelical, 1998.

Stevenson, Herbert F . James Speaks For Today. Westwood: Revell. 1966.

Strauss, Lehman. James, Your Brother: Studies In The Epistle Of James. New York: Loizeaux Brothers. 1956.

Stulac, George M. James. Leicester: IVP. 1993.

Tamez, Elsa. The Scandalous Message of James: Faith Without Works is Dead. Trans. John Eagleson. New York: Crossroad, 2002.

Tasker, R.V.G. The General Epistle Of James. London: Tyndale. 1957.

Taylor, Mark Edward. A Text-linguistic Investigation into the Discourse Structure of James. London; New York: T & T Clark, 2006.

Townsend, Michael J. The Epistle of James. London: Epworth Press, 1994.

Vaughan, Curtis. James: A Study Guide Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 1969.

Vouga, Franois. LՎpitre de Saint Jacques. Genve: Labor et Fides, 1984.

Wachob, Wesley Hiram. The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of James. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. electronic: http://nucat.library.northwestern.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&Search_Arg=bible+n+t+james&SL=None&Search_Code=SUBJ&PID=16019&CNT=25&SEQ=20041227035757&SID=1

Wall, Robert W. Community of the Wise: The Letter of James. Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1997.

Webster, Douglas D. Finding Spiritual Direction: The Challenge And Joys Of Christian Growth. Downers Grove: IVP. 1991.

Wiershe, Warren W. Be Mature: James. Wheaton: Victor. 1981.

Zodhiates, Spiros. The Behavior Of Belief: An Exposition Of James Based Upon The Original Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1959.