JamesJames

““A rather strawy epistle”A rather strawy epistle”

I. AuthorshipI. Authorship

Facts we know:Facts we know: 1. Calls himself – James, a servant of God 1. Calls himself – James, a servant of God

and of the Lord Jesus Christand of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Man of authority among Jewish Christians2. Man of authority among Jewish Christians 3. He has an Old Testament background3. He has an Old Testament background 4. Judaistic leanings4. Judaistic leanings 5. A teacher5. A teacher

Narrowed to Three PossibilitiesNarrowed to Three Possibilities James, son of ZebedeeJames, son of Zebedee James, son of AlphaeusJames, son of Alphaeus James, brother of JesusJames, brother of Jesus

C. Arguments for James, the brother of C. Arguments for James, the brother of JesusJesus 1. Simplicity of self-designation1. Simplicity of self-designation 2. The Jewish flavor of the book2. The Jewish flavor of the book 3. Similarities between this book and the 3. Similarities between this book and the

speeches in Actsspeeches in Acts 4. The community is primitive4. The community is primitive 5. External evidence -- slightly5. External evidence -- slightly

D. Against James, the brother of JesusD. Against James, the brother of Jesus 1. Language1. Language 2. No mention of Jesus’ life2. No mention of Jesus’ life 3. No mention of law3. No mention of law 4. Possible dependence upon Paul’s letters4. Possible dependence upon Paul’s letters 5. Moral degeneracy demands longer period 5. Moral degeneracy demands longer period

for development.for development. 6. Slow to be accepted into canon6. Slow to be accepted into canon

Strong leaning towards, James, the Strong leaning towards, James, the brother of Jesus, as the author.brother of Jesus, as the author.

II. DateII. Date

Early date – 49 A.D.Early date – 49 A.D.

Date near the death of James – 62 ADDate near the death of James – 62 AD

Late date – 70-95 ADLate date – 70-95 AD

III. DestinationIII. Destination

A. Book addressed to “the twelve tribes of A. Book addressed to “the twelve tribes of the Diaspora.”the Diaspora.”

B. Who?B. Who? Jews who were not ChristiansJews who were not Christians Christians in generalChristians in general Jewish Christians – more likelyJewish Christians – more likely

IV. The Problem with PaulIV. The Problem with Paul

PaulPaul JamesJames

Rom. 3:28Rom. 3:28 James 2:14-26James 2:14-26

TeachingTeaching Faith plus Faith plus nothingnothing

Faith plus Faith plus worksworks

ErrorError LegalismLegalism AntinomianismAntinomianism

Aspect of LifeAspect of Life How a person is How a person is savedsaved

How a How a Christian livesChristian lives

PaulPaul JamesJames

““WorksWorks Ritualistic, Ritualistic, legalisticlegalistic

Acts of Acts of kindnesskindness

““Faith”Faith” Commitment to Commitment to ChristChrist

Intellectual Intellectual assentassent

JustificationJustification Person Person declared rightdeclared right

Deeds prove Deeds prove one is righteousone is righteous

Conclusion: Both are saying the same Conclusion: Both are saying the same thing, but from a different perspective. thing, but from a different perspective.

A person is saved by faith but works will A person is saved by faith but works will be a part of the result of that salvation.be a part of the result of that salvation.

V. ThemeV. Theme

The Christian life must be demonstrated The Christian life must be demonstrated by everyday life.by everyday life.