-
James 2:24 Debate with William Albrecht
Roman Catholics shouldn’t cite James 2:24, because it doesn’t mean what they think it means. Last Saturday I conducted a debate with William Albrecht (Roman Catholic) on the topic of the meaning of James 2:24. (link to mp3) I hope you enjoy it, particularly the cross-examination section. With all due respect to Mr. Albrecht, I…
-
Immediate Context of James’ Faith/Works Pericope
James discusses the relationship of faith and works in a pericope with well-defined boundaries: the passage starts at James 2:14 and ends at James 2:26. We can see this from the signal, “my brethren,” which James uses repeatedly throughout the book in various forms to set off various pericopes. James uses it once in verse…
-
James as Wisdom Literature
It’s important to recognize that James is unlike most of Paul’s epistles. James, while a letter (James 1:1), is a book of wisdom in the category of the books of Proverbs or Ecclesiastes. The prologue (James 1:2-8) introduces wisdom in exactly the way wisdom literature would: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask…
-
Faith Demonstrated – a Central Jacobian Theme
After a brief greeting, James immediately begins his first of several brotherly admonitions. James 1:2-3 calls believers to be thankful for trials because the testing of faith works patience. James 1:12 promises the crown of life to those who endures temptations. James then approaches the same point another way. He points out that the…