I went to church a little while ago for the first time in ages...had that 'urge' to go. Well, Laurie Rowston was speaking - he is the editor of the Tasmanian Baptist Advance Magazine, for which I'd written an article several years back. He quoted Martin Luther and sorta agreed with him. So I went up to him after the service and asked if he really didn't like the Book of James - technically a letter but that's semantics - whether he really did agree with Martin Luther. He confirmed what he'd said during the service - so I gave my opinion...me and my big mouth...but also informed him I'd only glanced at it whilst he was speaking - I'd not read it in it's entirety and to be honest - although I didn't tell him that at the time - I didn't know who James was aside from a disciple or and apostle. But - that my opinion was....yada, yada, yada.
He then asked me to write a 400 word article for the magazine on the Book of James. So I did. And he has accepted it and it will be published in the March 2011 edition. (assuming something else doesn't fill that little gap). So, here's the sneak peak.
The Book of James is generally agreed to have been written by tge ‘half’-brother of Our Lord, Jesus. It has been criticised by scholars and reformists alike ( Martin Luther refers to it as “a book of straw.)
To me, the Letter written by James to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”, does not harshly condemn those who fall or have fallen away from God’s Word and Will as some other Books or Letters seem to. I feel James speaks gently, encouragingly and beautifully, using easily understood allegories, as he reminds us of what God’s Will is and what His Word says. If anything, there does seem to be a rather obvious thread of sarcasm when James speaks of the rich and oppressive, reminding them riches mean nothing in the Eyes of God – that money does not make a man good, nor will it save him from damnation.
James is very clear on what is right and wrong, urging patience and perseverance during times of trial and oppression, reminding us that all that is good can only come from God, that we be prayerful for those in need and asks that we help those who have turned away or against the Word telling us ”let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (5:20)
He warns against being judgemental, there is only One Judge, being boastful about tomorrow, saying “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time then vanishes away.” (4:14) He also warns against pride, the “untameable tongue” and lust, not just of the sexual nature but of the pleasures and temptations of the ‘world’…all of which lead to strife, war and sins of every nature.
What this Book – this Letter, has made me wonder and consider, are the personalities of both Jesus and James – how similar were they? To me – and this is only an unscholarly opinion, James seems to echo how Jesus might have been. A gentle man with the ability to be stern as required. I do not like the term “meek” applied to Jesus as I prefer the word humble, but James comes across to me as almost like the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild” of our childhood night-time prayers.
(**referenced from NKJV Thompson Study Bible).I
