Martin Luther didn't seem overly impressed with the Bible letter by James, describing it as 'a right strawy epistle'! It seems he felt disappointed it didn't contain any exalted description of Christ, nor make reference to the work of the Spirit. It's true that James doesn't deal with the glories of Christ and his Church or with the great Christian blessings, nor does he transport us to the world to come. But he forces us to face up squarely to practical realities and their ethical implications. Bible teacher Brian Johnston brings us face to face with them in a down-to-earth style that perhaps James himself would have appreciated!
