Below are only a few of the many questions to which answers should be pursued as a sermon series is developed from this little New Testament jewel:
- What is the theme of James' epistle?
- When did he write?
- Out of several possibilities in the New Testament, which James is the likely author of the canonical writing known as The General Epistle of James?
- Is it possible to identify a particular reason the author penned the document?
- Are there any key phrases or recurring words interwoven throughout the letter that may be a clue as to what the writer is up to?
Most of us are familiar with the expression a staff sergeant gives to soldiers when a CO is about to enter the room: "On your feet, soldiers!" That command may very well summarize the message of James' letter. This little book, perhaps more than any other New Testament writing, calls the Christian's faith to its feet. It challenges believers to action. Biblical faith, James tells us, is not just a faith that is; biblical faith is a faith that does. In his own words, "a faith without works is dead" (2:17, 20, 26). In short, faith on its feet.
I think it's safe to conclude that the bulk of New Testament scholars* question neither the authenticity of James nor that James stands as the debut document from apostolic Christianity. Interestingly, one reason many argue that James was the first NT book is internally deduced from what James does not say rather than what he does.
Unlike the Apostle Paul, James has few, if any, developed theological positions. Nor does James present even the least hint of a structured, well-developed church. While he does mention the "elders of the church" (5:17), he does not seem to use the term as an official "title" or "position" within the local assembly as did the Apostle in the Pastorals. Rather, he uses "elder" more in the sense of OT usage pertaining to the older, wiser, exemplar leadership within Judaism.
There are at least five well-known men in the NT whose name is James. Yet only one seems to be prominent enough to pen this book--James, brother of Jude, and half-brother to our Lord Jesus (Jude 1; Mark 6:3).
Why would James take up the pen and write? If we accept that James, brother of Jude and half-brother of Jesus was also the same James who was leader of the Jerusalem church (Gal. 2:9), James was responding to the horrible persecution leveled against the pristine church by none other than Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1-4).
In the Acts passage, we read of the later-to-be Apostle's madness against the church, the crusade being of such volcanic intensity, that the entire church scattered, leaving only the Apostles in Jerusalem (v. 1). Accordingly, Luke makes sure the reader understands that the church spread far and wide, "all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria...."
Assuming this scenario, the Apostle James, concerned for the scattered flock, wishing them Godspeed, and fulfilling his role as God's shepherd, takes up his pen and commences to pastor his people:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience (James 1:1-3)
James acknowledges the suffering his flock had endured, encouraging them even as they scattered to not run and hide; rather his challenge was to face such persecution head-on, trusting the Almighty Who was with them in peril by promise.
And, not only was there encouragement for the sufferer, but for those who sin, there was correction; for those who seek, there was counsel; for those who serve, there was challenge. Faith get on your feet!
With that, I am...
Peter
*I purposely limit the category of NT scholarship to what's normally accepted as conservative scholarship
Peter, "his challenge was to face such persecution head-on, trusting the Almighty Who was with them in peril by promise." Is your middle name James? selahV
Posted by: selahV | 2008.08.21 at 07:57 PM