Commonly referred to as the “Epistle of straw”, it is interesting to note that some of the most practical exhortations of the entire New Testament are found in this small epistle. The book of James promotes a maturity and growth as the Word of the LORD saturates the life of the believer. At face value, a contrary worldview seems to be influencing this author’s words, but upon further examination, a practical application of the truth and doctrine promoted by other Pauline epistles seems to be a primary focus of this epistle (DeSilva 814). In order to understand this epistle, it is important to understand the worldview of the particular author. In the text, the writer simply identifies himself as, “James, a servant of God and of the LORD Jesus Christ”. According to …show more content…
The structure of James seems to lack any major organization and instead appears to be a New Testament version of wisdom instruction similar to that of Proverbs. James also seems to have a structure similar to that of the Sermon on the Mount found in the gospel of Matthew. The major purpose of this letter appears to be a collection of wise sayings and good advice for the readers. This purpose exhorts particular behaviors and attitudes to persist while encouraging the elimination of questionable behaviors and attitudes, which go against James’ ideal vision for discipleship and Christian community. Due to a lack of coherence in this epistle, minor themes such as patient endurance, rich and poor, and being lured into sin by sinful desires and behaviors are presented at the beginning of the text and then returned to later in the letter. A subtle promotion of the consistency between one’s faith and the behavior one partakes in is forefront in this epistle. The overarching theme of practical, daily living in response to the faith that one confesses is central to the book of James (DeSilva
One cannot expect to take verses out of context (which we love to do) and understand the separate, yet intertwining theology of these two books. I believe Martin Luther was wrong to wish to remove James’s letter from scripture. Each book has a different message concerning the trigger topics of faith and works, yet they both work together to create a picture of what God’s work in our lives is meant to look like. Putting our faith in Jesus and his sacrifice saves us. When true conversion takes place His Holy Spirit inhabits us and helps us to truly fulfill the law in what was otherwise forever beyond our capabilities. Although in different situations, both Paul and James point to how God accomplishes for us what we cannot do on our
The book of Matthew chapter 5 through 7 was known as, “The Sermon on the Mount”. Which were words spoken by Jesus Christ. The purpose of this Sermon was to show representation of the normative foundation of Christian Morality. For instance, this passage was more so fixated on whole hearted benevolence towards others around you and genuine devotion to God.
N.T Wright (2008) stated that “When we read the scriptures as Christians, we read it precisely as people of the new covenant and of the new creation” (p.281). In this statement, the author reveals a paradigm of scriptural interpretation that exists for him as a Christian, theologian, and profession and Bishop. When one surveys the entirety of modern Christendom, one finds a variety of methods and perspectives on biblical interpretation, and indeed on the how one defines the meaning in the parables of Jesus. Capon (2002) and Snodgrass (2008) offer differing perspectives on how one should approach the scriptures and how the true sense of meaning should be extracted. This paper will serve as a brief examination of the methodologies presented by these two authors. Let us begin, with an
This paper will discuss five different translations of 2 Timothy. The translations include the New American Standard Bible (NASB), which is a literal translation; the New Living Translation (NLT), which is a dynamic translation that attempts to convey more of a thought for a thought and less word for word; the English Standard Version (ESV), an American literal version; the Douay-Rheims American Edition (DRA), which is a Catholic literal translation of the Latin Vulgate.; and the Message, which is a periphrastic translation. These translations are not drastically different, but may have chosen different wording based on preference, how literal the translation is or preconceived perspective or doctrine. Reading multiple translations can give a better understanding of the meaning of the text.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Bible. Eds. Dom Bernand Orchard, Rev. R. V. Fuller. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1966. Print.
Baptist Publication Society, 1886). Clarke, Adam; ed. ; pp. 63-63. Clarke's Commentary (New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 2003). no date. Criswell, W. A. & Co., W. A. Expository Notes on the Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: Zondervan).
Silva, Moisés. Philippians. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.
Bromiley, Geoffrey William, Fredrich, Gerhard, Kittel, Gerhard. “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” Struttgart, Germany. W. Kohlhammer Verlag. 1995. Print.
God’s written law is something that is and should be continuously turned, to not only when Christians find themselves in need, but also throughout in one’s daily life. The four gospels tell to story of Jesus’ life and his teachings he gave while on the earth making it possible for there to be a true example of Christ-like faith. The proposition that there are differences in the story of Jesus and in his teachings seems to question the basis upon which the Christian faith is found upon. Rather than proclaiming the gospels as falsehoods because on the differences they possess, by analyzing the differences in the context of the particular gospel it can be understood that the differences are not made by mistake, rather as a literary device. While the four gospels have differences and similarities, they cannot be regarded as an argument against the faith because their differences are what point to the many aspects of Christ.
...of defense into a triumphant presentation of gospel in the Letter to the Galatians. The requirement of Galatians to follow the Law of Moses in order to convert to Christianity is proven invalid by Paul, who teaches that faith in Christ and living by the Spirit is essential to the religion—not following gratuitous rules of the flesh. Paul offers guidance for the audience on how to follow the gospel he teaches in contrast to the strict and changeable rules his opposition forces upon the Galatians. By using an appeal to ethos to build his credibility with the audience, an appeal to logos to explain the triviality of the traditional laws of Judaism, and allegories to provide the innovative interpretation of God as a father to his followers, Paul is able to successfully spread his gospel of faith in Christ and living by the Spirit to the Galatians and other audiences.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1989. Print. The. Russell, Eddie.
eality is, that it will probably never go away until Jesus returns, so we must do what Jude tells us, we must guard out faith, and build ourselves up praying in the Holy Spirit. Reading the Word of God, will enable us to oppose false doctrine that is being taught today, because it will make us aware of the truth, the truth that Jude and Peter already had a revelation on. Bibliography • The letter of Jude. • The letter of II Peter. • The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1982.
The New Interpreter's Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ©2003.
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)
Wenham, G.J., Moyter, J.A., Carson, D.A. and France, R.T., eds. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998.