Jesus' Call to Discipleship

Understanding Jesus Today

by James D.G. Dunn

The latest book in the successful Understanding Jesus Today series deals with the role of discipleship in Christianity. James Dunn explores the original meaning of discipleship in the early Church and then discusses what discipleship should mean for Christians today. The evidence in the Gospels regarding the requirements of discipleship, including the beliefs and daily character of the life of a disciple, are explored and a firm basis upon which a tradition of discipleship can be defined is found. Important questions addressed are: To whom was Jesus's call to discipleship primarily directed? What were the characteristics of the community of disciples that formed around Jesus in His lifetime and how has the character of that community, which has become the Christian Church, changed over time? How does modern discipleship measure up against discipleship in the early Church? The book is based on the best of current scholarship but is written at a popular level.

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

James D. G. ("Jimmy") Dunn (born 1939) was for many years the Lightfoot Professor of Divinity in the Department of Theology at the University of Durham. Since his retirement he has been made Emeritus Lightfoot Professor. He is a leading British New Testament scholar, broadly in the Protestant tradition. Dunn is especially associated with the New Perspective on Paul, along with N. T. (Tom) Wright and E. P. Sanders. He is credited with coining this phrase during his 1982 Manson Memorial Lecture.

Dunn has an MA and BD from the University of Glasgow and a PhD and DD from the University of Cambridge. For 2002, Dunn was the President of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, the leading international body for New Testament study. Only three other British scholars had been made President in the preceding 25 years.

In 2005 a festschrift was published dedicated to Dunn, comprising articles by 27 New Testament scholars, examining early Christian communities and their beliefs about the Holy Spirit. (edited by Graham N. Stanton, Bruce W. Longenecker & Stephen Barton (2004). The Holy Spirit and Christian origins: essays in honor of James D. G. Dunn. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. ISBN 0-8028-2822-1.)

Dunn has taken up E. P. Sanders' project of redefining Palestinian Judaism in order to correct the Christian view of Judaism as a religion of works-righteousness. One of the most important differences to Sanders is that Dunn perceives a fundamental coherence and consistency to Paul's thought. He furthermore criticizes Sanders' understanding of the term "justification", arguing that Sanders' understanding suffers from an "individualizing exegesis".

Reviews

[Gabriella Machiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Understanding Jesus Today: Jesus’ call to discipleship", is an eloquent book that explains the biblical meaning of disciple and call to discipleship. This book is a valuable source of information for theologian students, church leaders and Christians who would like to know who they are called to be on this earth.
Dunn elucidates discipleship according to Mark 1:15. While he discourses the core message of Jesus’ ministry on this, the earth derives the implications, purposes and traits for discipleship; he enlightens his readers to the historical and contextual relevance and significance of this passage. He also challenges the major hermeneutical considerations and limitations of the first three Gospels.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a massive flop, and completely missed most of what Jesus had to say. There was no mention of loving and being kind to one another, or loving your enemies, nothing. Basically this is a book with the claim that Jesus's ministry was primarily for poor Jews. But doesn't elucidate much beyond that. In fact it completely ignores the bulk of his teachings. Never mentions his commandments. Never mentions transformation. Never mentions sanctification or anything remotely close to it. Harps on about the questionable sinner story in Luke. And claims Jesus was wrong and confused, and that the kingdom didn't come. Absolute drivel.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief but helpful treatment on the topic. Dunn has the capacity to strip away much cultural baggage that otherwise limits one's ability to read scripture for what is actually/apparently being said by the author.

[Caleb Lankford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best brief overview of the nuances of how Jesus taught the disciples and what it means today.

[Jake Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short book on discipleship in a first century context and how it applies to us today. Would recommend for every Christian.

[Edem Morny]

Short and straight to the point, James Dunn crystallises from Jesus' own ministry his goals and methods for discipleship. With a strong focus on the history and background of 1st century Judaism, he comes at the topic with a totally different perspective, delving into Jesus' own focus on good news for the poor, his launching of a new Israel and the Kingdom of God. Worth reading, but more importantly, worth applying.

[David Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read short book with some interesting insights in each chapter