The Epistle of James

The Epistle of James

Dear Friends,

I hope the reflections on difficult times I put together over the last two weeks have stimulated thought as we ponder how to navigate the times in which we live.  It’s been good to hear so many responses from you.

We now turn to the Epistle of James.  James is known as a general epistle – ie not sent to a particular congregation –  and one of the 21 epistles in the New Testament. It was written originally in Greek.  James 1:1 identifies the author as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” who is writing to “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”. Traditionally, the epistle is attributed to James the brother of Jesus, and the audience is considered generally to be Jewish Christians, who were dispersed outside Israel.

Framing his letter within an overall theme of patient perseverance during trials and temptations, James writes in order to encourage his readers to live consistently with what they have learned in Christ. He condemns various sins, including pride, hypocrisy, favouritism, and slander. He encourages and implores believers to live humbly by godly, rather than worldly, wisdom; he encourages prayer in all situations.

Martin Luther considered the epistle to be among the disputed books because his teaching of salvation only by faith is somewhat undermined by James’ theology.  Luther sidelined it to an appendix, although he cited it in his Large Catechism.  Of course, Luther’s views were a propaganda gift to Catholics who felt it rather undermined his views on the supremacy of Scripture!

The epistle aims to reach a wide Jewish audience.  Many find James a gripping read and a powerful corrective to theologies which underplay the importance of how we live and behave in our Christian discipleship.

Happy reading!

With every good wish

Andy

The Rev’d Andy Braunston
Minister for Digital Worship