20 replies to this topic

[Dan2]

I think it's generally assumed that it was James the Lord's Brother, as per James in Galatians 1:19.

Is that right? What's the evidence for it?

Thanks

[Mercia2]

Dan2, on Oct 12 2009, 11:49 AM, said:

I think it's generally assumed that it was James the Lord's Brother, as per James in Galatians 1:19.

Is that right? What's the evidence for it?

Thanks

God wrote it

[Dan2]

Mercia2, on Oct 12 2009, 12:12 PM, said:

God wrote it

God authored it. But who wrote it?

[Davvers]

Dan2, on Oct 12 2009, 11:49 AM, said:

I think it's generally assumed that it was James the Lord's Brother, as per James in Galatians 1:19.

Is that right? What's the evidence for it?

Thanks

Hi Dan2

I don't think there is any definitive scriptural evidence that it was the Lord's brother, although the epistle is chock full of references and allusions to the words of Jesus in the Gospels. There's a useful chart of these in Nelsons book of maps and charts. Let me know if you don't have a copy and I'll send it to you.

D

[Richie]

When I was studying the Transfiguration a few years ago I came to the conclusion that it was the apostle James who wrote it, rather than the traditional James (Jesus' half-brother). The reason for this is that there are allusions to the lessons surrounding the Transfiguration in the writings of Peter, John... and James. It all fit together so neatly that I assumed it was the apostle who wrote it.

Not that I ever thought it was that important.

[nsr]

James the apostle died pretty early on in Acts. When is the letter of James thought to have been written?

[Richie]

nsr, on Oct 12 2009, 07:29 AM, said:

James the apostle died pretty early on in Acts. When is the letter of James thought to have been written?

Well if it was the apostle then one would assume before his death.

[nsr]

Indeed, but if the most likely dating is after his death, it's most likely he didn't write it.

[Richie]

I have no idea how anyone would be able to work out the date.

[nsr]

Neither do I, which is why I asked

[Davvers]

nsr, on Oct 12 2009, 03:47 PM, said:

Neither do I, which is why I asked

It is thought to have been written shortly after the beginning of Acts 8 when many were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution. James 1:1 says it is written to the 12 tribes scattered abroad. The theory is that believers scattered from Jerusalem lodged with land-owning believers around the land, but these land-owners (the rich) took advantage of this new vulnerable workforce (the poor) that had landed in their lap and this forms something of a theme in the epistle.

This would make James the first piece of the NT to be published, which is perhaps why there is so much reference to the preaching of Jesus. Both Jameses were still alive at Acts 8, so this wonderful theory doesn't help one jot in deciding who wrote it - but I thought I'd say it anyway as a complete distraction!

D

[Richie]

Not a distraction, interesting point Davvers.

[Dan2]

Thanks guys, very interesting.

So I guess it's purely based on allusions to other parts of scripture, and the odd bit of incidental evidence here and there.

It's a shame really, because you can't necessarily put it into a specific context when reading/studying it.

[Dan2]

Davvers, on Oct 12 2009, 01:36 PM, said:

There's a useful chart of these in Nelsons book of maps and charts. Let me know if you don't have a copy and I'll send it to you.

I wouldn't mind having a look if you could get a copy of it to me please. Thanks.

[Davvers]

Dan2, on Oct 12 2009, 07:22 PM, said:

Davvers, on Oct 12 2009, 01:36 PM, said:

There's a useful chart of these in Nelsons book of maps and charts. Let me know if you don't have a copy and I'll send it to you.

I wouldn't mind having a look if you could get a copy of it to me please. Thanks.

I'm doing one of our prophecy course sessions tonight. I'll try and remember to send it after that.

D

[Dan2]

Davvers, on Oct 13 2009, 01:10 PM, said:

I'm doing one of our prophecy course sessions tonight. I'll try and remember to send it after that.

Thanks - no rush.

[Jeremy]

Davvers, on Oct 12 2009, 04:52 PM, said:

It is thought to have been written shortly after the beginning of Acts 8 when many were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution. James 1:1 says it is written to the 12 tribes scattered abroad. The theory is that believers scattered from Jerusalem lodged with land-owning believers around the land, but these land-owners (the rich) took advantage of this new vulnerable workforce (the poor) that had landed in their lap and this forms something of a theme in the epistle.

This would make James the first piece of the NT to be published, which is perhaps why there is so much reference to the preaching of Jesus. Both Jameses were still alive at Acts 8, so this wonderful theory doesn't help one jot in deciding who wrote it - but I thought I'd say it anyway as a complete distraction!

D

Good answer, thanks. It's clearly very early, before Gentile converts of any great number.

[Jon D]

FWIW, there's a bundle of connections between James and Luke 8, vs. 21 of Luke being the most obvious. These are all in the context of Christ's mother and brethren (of whom was James).

[Davvers]

Dan2, on Oct 13 2009, 01:19 PM, said:

Davvers, on Oct 13 2009, 01:10 PM, said:

I'm doing one of our prophecy course sessions tonight. I'll try and remember to send it after that.

Thanks - no rush.

I forgot But then I realised the slides I did at Swanwick on James are on DM, and they include the table from Nelsons

D

[Dan2]

Elimelech, on Oct 14 2009, 06:53 AM, said:

FWIW, there's a bundle of connections between James and Luke 8, vs. 21 of Luke being the most obvious. These are all in the context of Christ's mother and brethren (of whom was James).

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about this! v.21 is an excellent point if it was the Lord's brother who wrote the epistle, thanks for the reminder! I suppose, however, that this is still going on scriptural allusions and therefore is not definite proof of authorship.

Thanks

[Dan2]

Davvers, on Oct 14 2009, 10:45 AM, said:

I forgot But then I realised the slides I did at Swanwick on James are on DM, and they include the table from Nelsons

D

I've got it!