New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

Intro. of James and Paul Reading James in light of Paul, cf. Luther Reading James in light of Paul, cf. Luther We come to Paul’s letters first so we come to Hebrew and James after reading Paul We come to Paul’s letters first so we come to Hebrew and James after reading Paul Paul: Justification based solely on faith; it is a gift of God not on works lest anyone would boast Paul: Justification based solely on faith; it is a gift of God not on works lest anyone would boast James gets rejected or neglected or reinterpret rescuing James from James James gets rejected or neglected or reinterpret rescuing James from James Canon in a canon idea Canon in a canon idea

James and Paul Some early copies of NT put James first Some early copies of NT put James first What would happen if we read James first and then came to Paul What would happen if we read James first and then came to Paul The reason Paul’s letters follow the book of Acts is because he dominates the last part of Acts. So his books follow naturally The reason Paul’s letters follow the book of Acts is because he dominates the last part of Acts. So his books follow naturally It is legitimate to try to reconcile them It is legitimate to try to reconcile them How do we put them together? How do we put them together?

James 2: faith and works James 2:14ff on works, justified by works not by faith alone, faith without works is dead James 2:14ff on works, justified by works not by faith alone, faith without works is dead What is going on? What is going on?

James on Faith and Works Paul James Problem: legalism/nationalism poverty/wealth Faith: trust/commitment to X *1) intellectual assent merely 2) commitment, 3) faithfulness Works: Legalism/nationalism indifference love, charity love, charity Justify: Initial entrance into Good deeds are relationship with God part of it—OT Abraham Abraham Abraham Abraham

Trials and Endurance : God brings trials so that our faith becomes stronger, : God brings trials so that our faith becomes stronger,but… 1:12-15: God is not responsible for temptation that may result. 1:12-15: God is not responsible for temptation that may result.

Poverty and Wealth James : Christian rich who are tempted to evaluate themselves based on wealth James : Christian rich who are tempted to evaluate themselves based on wealth James 5.1-6: non-Christian wealthy who oppress the poor and hoard wealth James 5.1-6: non-Christian wealthy who oppress the poor and hoard wealth James 5: Praying for healing James 5: Praying for healing Understand James 5 in light of ch. 4 don’t have because you don’t ask and praying with wrong motives Understand James 5 in light of ch. 4 don’t have because you don’t ask and praying with wrong motives