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Are we living a Scandalous Life?
Elsa Tamez suggests that the Letter of James is calling
Christians in the United States to a completely different Christian
life. She uses three angles for looking at James: Oppression,
Hope, and Praxis.
Scandal
Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
| Top of Page
Related
Links
Word Studies: Poor
| Rich | Blessing
Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
James clearly identifies a preferential option for the poor
within Christian community. But it is clear that his community
is struggling with this issue. The scandal is that the wealthy
are being treated better than the poor, even though they are the
ones who are persecuting this community! The poor are encouraged
to be proud of their place, confident of the future, patient in
facing oppression. The wealthy are reminded that a person is justified
by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).
The hope James offers is in the form
of blessings
from God on the poor, and the coming judgment of the rich. The
poor and oppressed can be hopeful because the kingdom of God is
theirs. The rich have the opportunity to turn away from the world,
and toward the way of God to find their humble place in Christian
community.
And certainly James calls the Christian community to action:
praxis. We are called to believe and
to act on our faith. This is a call to live out the law, and to
become whole people, full of integrity, with singleness of mind.
James calls us to prayer, as individuals and as a community. And
James considers patience to be one of the actions of an oppressed
community. This is active, militant patience, alert and ready
for the coming Judge who offers hope for a better life.
Scandal
Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
| Top of Page
Related
Links
Word Studies: Poor
| Rich | Blessing
Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
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