Understanding the Themes in the Book of James
Delve into the major themes of the Book of James, exploring topics like relationships, perseverance, faith, self-control, and the dangers of worldly desires. Discover the wisdom and insights offered in this impactful text.
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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? Still, the Main Question Throughout: Still, the Main Question Throughout: Is the author of James nuts? Is the author of James nuts?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian themes Major Jamnian themes - - Recap: Recap: 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. Relationship of Rich and Poor Relationship of Rich and Poor Perseverance during trials, tests, & temptations Perseverance during trials, tests, & temptations Faith = righteousness = true wisdom Faith = righteousness = true wisdom Self Self- -control, especially of our speech control, especially of our speech Doing = true faith; hearing = inadequate faith Doing = true faith; hearing = inadequate faith
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 1Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings (desires) that are at war within you?2You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.4Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian themes: Major Jamnian themes: Cravings & desires separate us from God and Cravings & desires separate us from God and cause conflicts between us cause conflicts between us We do not know how to ask God properly; We do not know how to ask God properly; God will not fulfill selfish prayers God will not fulfill selfish prayers God s realm is holy; the world is corrupt God s realm is holy; the world is corrupt friendship with the world is enmity with God friendship with the world is enmity with God
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? For discussion: For discussion: The author of James speaks in bold, binary declaratives. How does this make you feel? What benefits do you see in eliminating the gray What benefits do you see in eliminating the gray areas and defining our faith in clear either/or areas and defining our faith in clear either/or terms? terms?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 5Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us ?6But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian Context: Major Jamnian Context: The author cites quotations that to date have The author cites quotations that to date have never been discovered in Hebrew scripture. never been discovered in Hebrew scripture. The audience for this letter were most likely The audience for this letter were most likely among the most vulnerable and poor of all the among the most vulnerable and poor of all the dispersed communities. dispersed communities.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian Context: Major Jamnian Context: God is a loving parent. God is a loving parent. Parents want nothing but the very best for Parents want nothing but the very best for their children. their children. Parents put up with things from their own Parents put up with things from their own children they put up with from no one else! children they put up with from no one else!
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded.9Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection.10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? For discussion: For discussion: What does it mean to you to submit yourself to What does it mean to you to submit yourself to God? God? James teaches that the devil only has the power James teaches that the devil only has the power over us that we allow the devil to have. What are over us that we allow the devil to have. What are your thoughts on that? your thoughts on that?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 11Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.12There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Major Jamnian themes: Major Jamnian themes: Why Now? Judge not lest ye be judged. Judgment and Judge not lest ye be judged. Judgment and punishment do not belong to flawed and imperfect punishment do not belong to flawed and imperfect humans, but to God. humans, but to God. Why do you think the church historically has ignored Why do you think the church historically has ignored this teaching and spent so much time judging and this teaching and spent so much time judging and condemning the actions of others? condemning the actions of others?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 13 Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money. 14Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 15Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that. 16As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.17Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian Context: Major Jamnian Context: Pursuing Our Own Will vs. Pursuing Our Own Will vs. Pursuing God s Will Pursuing God s Will For James, those of us who hear, understand, and For James, those of us who hear, understand, and know the gospel also know God s will, and therefore know the gospel also know God s will, and therefore have no excuse not to do it. Doers, not hearers! have no excuse not to do it. Doers, not hearers!
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? For discussion: For discussion: What themes from James do you resonate with? What themes from James do you resonate with? What themes give you the most trouble? What themes give you the most trouble? What questions does James raise for you? What questions does James raise for you?
