Just James

'This is a book for which we have been waiting. James was obviously such an important figure in the beginnings of Christianity, and yet for the most part he remains in the shadows, playing at best an ambiguous role in comparison with Peter and Paul. Painter brings him out of these shadows, scrutinizing with great care each pieve of information and building up a picture which is much more positive than most have recognized. Thanks to Painter our appreciation of the tensions behind and within the New Testament will be much better informed. We are in his debt.' James D. G. Dunn, University of Durham