James, Brother of Jesus, Emerges from the Shadows in the Work of John Painter

October 22, 2002

MINNEAPOLIS – With the recent find in Jerusalem of an ossuary, or bone box, proposed to be of James, the brother of Jesus, the recent work of John Painter can be seen as the authoritative and reliable source on this early-church figure.

Just James provides a fascinating treatment of Jesus' brother based on all the ancient sources: New Testament, early church fathers, Nag Hammadi codices, and other early Christian writings. Painter evaluates the importance of this towering figure of the early church whose contributions have been obscured from the consciousness of modern Christianity. The author explores James' relationship to Jesus, Mary's perpetual virginity, James' receipt of special revelations from the risen Lord, and his status as one of the first martyrs of the church.

"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 piece 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

"John Painter has brought to bear his considerable skills as historian, literary critic, and interpreter of ancient Christian documents to draw out of the mists a crucial figure from the beginnings of Christianity. Painter's ability to approach biblical, Christian, Gnostic, and other sectarian documents in a fresh, and sometimes surprising, fashioning has produced a significant contribution to the understanding of Christianity's earliest days, and the ways in which early traditions interpreted the Christian church's foundations. A stimulating and important book."

— Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., Catholic University of America

Just James: The Brother of Jesus in History and Tradition, by John Painter, edited by D. Moody Smith, is published by Fortress Press.

The Author: John Painter is Professor of Theology at St. Mark's National Theological Centre, Charles Stuart University, Canberra, Australia. He is the author of Mark's Gospel: Worlds in Conflict 1997) and The Quest for the Messiah (2d ed., 1993).

About the Editor of the Personalities of the New Testament Series: D. Moody Smith is George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament at The Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.