Introduction to James handout

Introduction

Why James?

 

History

Early canons in late 2nd century do not mention James; earliest references come in the early 4th century.

Eventually came to be recognized as canonical in all parts of the early church.

We should consider James as more neglected than rejected:

Perhaps because of the uncertainty of the apostolic origin of the book.

And content – there’s little connection to the fiery theological debates in the early church.

Strong Jewish orientation and probably written to Jewish churches in Palestine or Syria.

Origen only makes reference to the letter after he was in contact with the church in Palestine.

 

Doubts expressed again at the time of the Reformation.

Erasmus was impressed by the quality of the Greek, doubting it was written by the Lord’s brother.

Luther questioned it more deeply over the matter of justification by faith; “an epistle of straw”

But, Luther did not exclude James from the canon, and he cites over half the verses as authoritative.

 

Calvin admitted that James “seems more sparing in proclaiming the grace of Christ than it behooved an apostle to be” but noted “it is not surely required of all to handle the same arguments”.  He accepted the apostolic authority of James and argued for a harmonization between James and Paul on the issues of justification.

 

James and Paul complement one another.  Their opponents are different, so their arguments are accordingly different, but each makes an important contribution to our understanding of our faith.

 

Authorship

Of those named James in the NT, only two rise to the level of prominence to be the likely author.

James son of Zebedee, brother of John, one of the twelve; martyred in 44 AD (Acts 12:2)

Unlikely written this early – before the council of Jerusalem in 50 AD (Acts 15)

James, the brother of Jesus, became a respected figure in the early church, especially among the Jewish church.

Called “the righteous” or “the just” – venerated as the first “bishop of Jerusalem.”

What evidence is there that this James, the brother of Jesus, is the author?

The testimony of the ancient church is in agreement.

Greek of the epistle is very similar the Greek of the speech attributed to James in Acts 15:12-21

and to the associated letter attributed to James in Acts 15:23-29, from the council of Jerusalem.

The Jewish atmosphere of the letter is very marked; frequent allusions to OT and Jewish teaching.

Style reflects the proverbial nature of Jewish wisdom literature, and denunciatory preaching of the prophets.

His position as leader of the Jerusalem church would qualify him to address authoritatively “the twelve tribes”

 

Date, Place, Circumstances

James the brother of Jesus martyred about AD 62 (according to Josephus), so it must predate this.

Absence of any controversy re. Jews and Gentiles regarding the ceremonial law.

A date after the Jerusalem council seems unlikely – it was 50 AD.

This all points to mid-40s, perhaps 45 – 48.

 

James lived in Jerusalem and so far as we know stayed there.

Readers were likely Jews outside of Palestine, on the coastal regions north, Syria, and into Asia Minor.

“Earlier and later” rains indicate this – that happens there and not in Palestine.

 

The readers were Jews; “the twelve tribes”; imagery of Jewish faith and OT imbu...