I wanted to get caught up on the current bible study we are doing here at Ainsworth. We have been studying the letter that was written by James for the past 3 weeks. When we first started, we spent time talking about the historical context of the letter. I believe it is important to remember that this letter was written in a particular time, to a group of people, and to address concerns that were happening in the community. We also discussed how over time, theologians have viewed this letter. So as I put this on line, I want to begin there. I am teaching this both at church and at our assisted living center. At church we are spending 13 weeks studying while at the assisted living center we are spending only 6 weeks.
To start when was this letter written? If the letter was written by James (and though we do not know for sure, there is no reason not to think so), then the likelihood was that it was written around 50-60 CE prior to the destruction of the temple. This would put the letter around the time of Paul or shortly after his death. James is mentioned in Acts as the leader of the Jerusalem community of believers. James was probably not the apostle but likely the half-brother of Jesus. James would have presided over the council when Paul debated about inclusion of Gentiles into the believers. James was the mediator between the two factions, one insisting on following Torah law and Paul insisting that was not necessary. It may seem that this was such a minor situation until one looks at how many denominations we have today in the Christian community often splitting over issues of baptism, communion, biblical interpretation, etc. This debate had the potential to split the early church between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. Eventually the split became more obvious to the point that the early church no longer worshipped in the synagogues.
Paul's belief in salvation by faith in Jesus spread throughout the early churches. Paul often when writing to specific churches was addressing specific concerns. Yet, his letters were circulated throughout the world. Paul was able to provide the inclusion of Gentiles based on faith. A concern began to arise that there were those who would misuse this to the detriment of others. Paul was concerned always of providing help for those in need particularly widows and orphans. James may have been concerned that there was a tendency to not help those in need because of the idea of one only needs faith to be saved.
This letter may have been an attempt to provide some guidance and correction to Paul's statements. The letter provides a outline of what one as a disciple should do. It comes across as almost a workbook of ways of living. Hence the statement "Faith without works is dead." The letter was written to Jewish Christians primarily. Over time it gained more popularity with all Christians. The letter is seen as a catholic letter meaning universal and not addressed to a particular church or a specific group of people.
Over time, many of the early church fathers debated about the inclusion of the letter into the canon. It gained admittance based on the authorship and on the concerns about how to live. This letter has some connection to the Jewish Wisdom writings found in the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. At the time of the reformation, Martin Luther in writing the bible wanted to leave the letter out as he felt it was "nothing but straw." For Luther, salvation was based on Justifying grace alone and had nothing to do with works. His concern was the reform of the Roman Catholic Church's sacrament of penance. For John Wesley, this letter was very important as it guided us in both faith and deed. For Wesley faith was vital but that faith should transform our lives so beyond Justifying grace, he spoke of previenent grace and sanctifying grace.
Today the debate continues among advocated of personal piety and social holiness. As we continue to study and as I continue to write, we will be discussing this more in detail. I look forward to your reflections on this important letter.
