Liberty University Central Issue in The Epistle of James Discussion and Responses

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Topic: Identifying the Central Issue in the General Epistles

Question/Prompt: Just because the General Epistles are not “occasional” as are Paul’s letters does not mean that they are not intended to speak to specific problems, issues, and crises in the congregations to which they are addressed. Choose one of the General Epistles, read it through quickly (remember, it is a letter!), and then, in not less than 400 words, describe in your own words the issue, problem, or crisis the letter is meant to address.  

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Michael :James, the brother of Jesus, was one of the lead elders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22; Gal. 2:9,12). "Now James was not actually James’ name. His name was Jacob. James is of Anglo-Saxon roots."1 Being a brother of the Messiah and a Christian convert is quite a testimony. If anyone can attest to the validity of Christ’s message it would be one who grew up with Him. Initially, he rejected Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah (Mark 3:21 and John 7:3-5). His conversion and credentials make him a perfect candidate for penning a letter of Scripture. The style James writes “his letter reflects the distinctive structure of the book of Proverbs. It touches on a theme, goes on to others, and then returns to the first.”2This is not unlike a modern sermon a pastor may give from his pulpit. He covers a slew of scenarios and compels his audience to be pure before Christ.James's focus for writing his letter “to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad" (Jas 1:1)3. by persecution was an encouragement to stay pure to Christ despite horrible persecution. James, a pastor, knew first hand how the 1stcentury Christian was struggling. Roman persecution had reached almost as far as the gospel message. They needed to be reminded that their suffering would develop endurance (Jam. 1:3-4). Even if the trial would consume their very life they would receive the crown of life from the Lord (James 1:12). He goes on to bullet list issues in the church. These very same issues are seen in the church in 2020. The message in James is relevant to the church point for point. Many believers are suffering persecution around the world. Their faithfulness to Jesus will be rewarded with a crown of life. The purest form of religion is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the poor and widowed/orphaned. The mouth is one of the most difficult members to master. The mouth’s words can heal or hurt; they can preach the gospel or curse a brother. We must submit our tongues to the Savior. In chapter two James strongly confronts wealthy favoritism in the congregations. He condemns the rich again in chapter five who soak up the pleasures of their coffers without helping the unfortunate. He confronts the idea that fruitless faith is saving faith. Genuine faith in Christ produces good works. These works range from acts of kindness to leading souls to the Lord. He even gives an example of two old testament saints, Abraham and Rahab, who exhibited this “working faith.” He covers pride, taking the future for granted, patience for the Lord’s coming, and effectual prayer. All of these topics resonate with a modern congregation.1 Robert Wayne Stacy, Presentation: Hebrews and James, Slide: James. Liberty University2 Walter A Elwell, Encountering Biblical Studies: Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2019), 338.3 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

Hey here is the final post for this discussion. Patricia Response: James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote an epistle that is rather "'strawy' in comparison to Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and I Peter."1  James addressed his epistle to the "scattered twelve tribes of Israel in the dispersion."2  James "combined prophecy and Wisdom literature"3 as he spoke to the scattered tribes of Israel.  "James has God as his focus and the purity of the church as his aim."4  The world was beginning to find its way increasingly into the body of Christ.  James exposed and addressed several worldly issues, but the one that got my immediate attention was the "taming of the tongue."5  "James views control of the tongue as an individual's most difficult challenge."6  He gives us analogies of two other small items in comparison to the size of the tongue that are controlled.  Like the bit in a horses mouth, sets the direction for this strong animal by its master.  The great and massive ship has a small instrument called a rudder that enables it to change in any direction by the hands of the operator.   James says "the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things."7  He continues to explain that "among the members, the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, that defiles the whole body.  The tongue as fire sets on fire the course of nature, and itself being set on fire by hell.  He states that all the animals above the sea and beneath the sea have been tamed my man, but man cannot tame the tongue (Jam. 3:6-7)."  Richard voices, "since the tongue cannot be tamed, it must be guarded at all times."  David said, "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue (Ps. 120:2)."  David used wisdom and prayed for God to "set a watch over his mouth (Ps. 41:3)."  The preacher expounds on the tongue in Prov. 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Yes, James is certainly relevant for the church today.   There are many that profess to love Christ within the contemporary church, and yet we witness "bitter and sweet water trying to flow from the same opening, and blessings and cursings from the same mouth (Jam, 3:10-11)." When believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, like David, we should pray and ask God for wisdom on how we should filter our words in our daily walk with him.  There remains to be much "church hurt" within the Body of Christ, because someone did not use wisdom in the words they spoke.  James says, "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom (Jam. 3:13)."

1.     Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey, 3rd ed., (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 336.2.     Ibid.3.     Ibid., 337.4.     Ibid., 340.5.     Ibid., 337.6.     Lawrence O. Richards, Illustrated Bible Handbook, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.), 770-771.7.     Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages noted are from the King James Version, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996).8.     Richards, 771.

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Central Issue in The Epistle of James Outline
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II.
III.

Introduction: An overview of the general overview
What is the epistle of James meant to address?
How is the epistle of James relevant to churches today?


1
Central Issue in The Epistle of James Outline
I.
II.
III.

Introduction: An overview of the general Epistles
What is the epistle of James meant to address?
How is the epistle of James relevant to churches today?


Running head: EPISTLE OF JAMES

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