ONE OF THE MORE MISUNDERSTOOD BOOKS (Epistle/Letter)… JAMES! - PART ONE

January 17th, 2022

-Brent Hartford

ONE OF THE MORE MISUNDERSTOOD BOOKS (Epistle/Letter)… JAMES!

PART ONE - INTRO - BACK STORY (Context)

The book of James is often referred to when discussing salvation: especially in regards to eternal security, or the lack thereof due to a "works" doctrinal mindset (another gospel). Keep in mind, James is not an evangelistic letter. It is a “here and now letter.” A letter about standing strong as a Christian in the midst of great persecution. Enduring to the end in the”‘here and now.”

WHAT ABOUT THE MAN - JAMES?

James is one of four individuals named James in the NT. However, a majority of scholars, lean towards it being the half-brother of Jesus. He, along with his brother Jude, did not follow, nor did they believe, that their brother was who He claimed to be. [Mark 3:21, John 7:5] They did not believe in Jesus to be who He said He was until after His death. They later came to believe as Paul did… post-resurrection. It is strongly believed that this letter is written within a year of Jesus' death, but still, before Paul's conversion, and definitely before his first letters to the Thessalonians in the early 50 AD's. It is believed that this letter is predominately about the "Here and Now" for it is written in the aftermath of the first persecutions to hit the church starting with Stephen (Acts7). It is clearly a pastoral letter attempting to encourage those who (Jews) believe in Jesus as Messiah to stand and endure trying times. James is referred to by Peter on more than one occasion. He is held in high regard among those in the Jerusalem church. He is looked upon as an Elder and later an Itinerate Pastor when Peter was imprisoned.

TIMELINE?

The date of authorship for the Letter of James is continually under debate. Assuming that we all agree on a date of 33 ca. for the death of Jesus a number of scholars speculate the writing of the letter of James to be around the time of James' death placed between 44 to 64AD(ca)? Then there are others who hold to the same date that I hold, believing it to be very plausible that it was around 34 to 35AD(ca). This would make James one of the first letters written, along with 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Galatians in 48, 49, or possibly 56AD(ca). These dates for Paul's writings, after he converted, make it easy to suggest James Letter as being Pre-Pauline conversion and for sure Pre-Pauline ministry letters, making James possibly the first New Testament Letter written.

TO WHOM IS HE WRITING?

James is clearly writing ‘what he is writing’ as the result of the first persecution that has come upon the Jerusalem Church. Most likely increased persecution starting with the death of Stephen overseen by Saul (Paul). [Acts Chapters 6 and 7] Most likely placing the timeline Pre-Conversion of Paul. Possibly before Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The persecution I refer to continued long after Paul came to believe in Jesus and was planting churches in the region of Asia Minor (Galatia area - Modern day Turkey). Paul encouraged “Love Offerings” on behalf of “Brothers and Sisters in Jerusalem.” [Romans 15:26]

James is writing to Jewish Believers, but make note - specifically BELIEVERS of Jesus as Messiah. These Jewish believers dispersed from the area of Jerusalem due to the intense persecution of Christians.

THE CLIMATE

The climate of the times for the Jerusalem Church was that of fear and uncertainty due to intense persecution. The church needed continual encouragement to stand as followers of Jesus in the midst of very physically trying times.

PART TWO to follow - Keep checking in at https://www.facebook.com/graceapologetics101

And https://www.graceapologetics101.org/

Blessing to all fellow believers. Yours in Christ,

~Brent