Message of James: Fidelity of Speech and Reason in Age of Crisis
Delve into the deep exploration of James' teachings on fidelity of speech and reason in times of crisis. Discover the relevance of taming the tongue and the power it holds, amidst the competition for control in early Christian communities. Reflect on the challenges and significance of maintaining calm and reason in an age of rage, as highlighted in the context of James' teachings. Explore the questions raised and insights provided regarding the conduct of influential individuals in spreading Christianity. Uncover the wisdom behind James' caution against hasty teachings and the impact of words on the community.
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Presentation Transcript
Deep Dive August 4, 11, 18, 25 & September 1 Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Calm in a time of Crisis, Calm in a time of Crisis, Reason in an Age of Rage Reason in an Age of Rage
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Main Question Throughout: Main Question Throughout: Is the author of James nuts? Is the author of James nuts?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian theme: Major Jamnian theme: Fidelity of Speech Fidelity of Speech In the community James addresses, indications In the community James addresses, indications are that some powerful, influential people were are that some powerful, influential people were teaching a problematic Christianity? teaching a problematic Christianity?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies.4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian Context: Major Jamnian Context: There was great competition for power and control in the There was great competition for power and control in the early Christian communities in diaspora. early Christian communities in diaspora. How do we assess teachings about Christian How do we assess teachings about Christian discipleship and living? How do we discern the discipleship and living? How do we discern the validity of faith claims? validity of faith claims?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian Context: Major Jamnian Context: Discuss the power of words and speech to Discuss the power of words and speech to do good, to do harm, to educate, to do good, to do harm, to educate, to confuse, to inspire, and to discourage. confuse, to inspire, and to discourage. What criteria do you use to determine What criteria do you use to determine what to believe and what to reject? what to believe and what to reject?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,8but no one can tame the tongue a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water?12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian theme: Major Jamnian theme: What does the metaphor of a poisonous tongue What does the metaphor of a poisonous tongue mean to us today? mean to us today? James was focusing on religious leadership, but the James was focusing on religious leadership, but the same cautions apply to political leaders? What same cautions apply to political leaders? What role does honesty play in modern politics? role does honesty play in modern politics?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.15Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian Context: Major Jamnian Context: Righteous Wisdom vs. Earthly Wisdom Righteous Wisdom vs. Earthly Wisdom What is wisdom? How is wisdom different from What is wisdom? How is wisdom different from knowledge? How is wisdom different from knowledge? How is wisdom different from discernment? How are they related? What is the discernment? How are they related? What is the relationship of wisdom and truth? relationship of wisdom and truth?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 16For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Defining Jamnian terms: Defining Jamnian terms: Why Now? Pure Pure ( (katharos whole. whole. Peaceable Peaceable ( (fil sychos making new, everything in its natural state. making new, everything in its natural state. Gentle Gentle ( (evgen s evgen s) of the same source or family, treat like an infant family, treat like an infant Mercy Mercy- - ( ( lios lios) of one substance or weave. ) of one substance or weave. katharos) all encompassing and ) all encompassing and fil sychos) literally ) literally ) of the same source or
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 3 Chapter 3 a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. How does this align with a vision for Christian community as peacemakers?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Major Jamnian themes: Major Jamnian themes: Why Now? Summarize the main themes we have Summarize the main themes we have discussed so far: discussed so far: Where do you find agreement, encouragement, and/or inspiration? Where do you struggle and So far, what are the important messages you feel has for us today? has for us today? Where do you find agreement, encouragement, and/or inspiration? Where do you struggle and/or disagree? So far, what are the important messages you feel The Epistle of James /or disagree? The Epistle of James
