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Faith without Works is Dead
Certainly a major
point of the Letter of James is to call Christians to right action.
Tamez argues that James' message is that "Christians are recognized
not by their being but by their doing" (T42).
What is it that James wants us to do? James is calling Christians
to follow the law, to live a life of integrity and a life of prayer.
Tamez argues James also calls us to patience, militant patience
in the face of oppression.
Faith
Without Works is Dead
Law | Integrity
| Prayer | Militant
Patience | Top of Page
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Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
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Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
Law
James refers directly to the law in 1:25, 2:8 and 2:12. It is
likely that 1:22-24: but be doers of the word, is an indirect
reference to the  law,
so that by verse 25 the word is synonymous of the law.
What is the perfect law, the law of liberty? If verses
26 and 27 are examples then the law calls us to bridle our tongues,
care for orphans and widows, and to keep ourselves unstained by
the world. The way of God's rule, the law of liberty, is not the
way of our world.
And the law of liberty in James 2:12 will be the law by which
we are judged. At that judgment, we see in verses 13-17, we will
be asked about our works. For faith by itself, if it has not
works, is dead (James 2:17). The test of whether we really
have faith, James continues, will be in the works that we do.
Abraham and Rahab are examples of great faith. But James uses
them to show that God recognizes faith by our actions. The chapter
proceeds logically to the conclusion: For just as the body
without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
-James 2:26.
The image of the kingdom (basileia) of God comes to mind
in James 2:8, where we are called to fulfill the royal (basilikos)
law. The royal law: you shall love your neighbor as yourself,
is from Leviticus 19:18. In verses 9-13, we are also called avoid
partiality, adultery and murder, and to show mercy. But the point
here is the completeness of the law, rather than the specific
laws to follow. We are not to fail in any one part of the law,
but to follow the whole law. See the relationship of Leviticus
to James.
Faith Without Works is Dead
Law | Integrity
| Prayer | Militant
Patience | Top of Page
Scandal
Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
Related
Links
Word Studies: Poor
| Rich | Blessing
Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
Integrity
Wholeness is a theme that James stresses, both for individuals
and for the community. And the example James offers of complete
wholeness is God, the Father of lights. In 1:17 God has
not  variation
or shadow due to change. The point is that God is constant and
unchanging, and thus cannot tempt people with evil choices. The
temptations we face in 1:3 produces endurance, and will make us
complete, lacking nothing. If we are, in fact, lacking, we can
turn to God, who gives wisdom generously and ungrudgingly. See
more on God's wisdom and James.
The image of giving generously echoes Matthew 7:7 ask and
it shall be given (M58).
But the Greek haplos is derived from the word simple
or sincere, or perhaps most importantly, single.
The Septuagint uses the word 11 times in Wisdom texts to mean
integrity. Moo argues that James' point is to emphasize God's
"single, undivided intent to give us those gifts we need" (M59).
Indeed in verses 6-8, we are called to avoid wavering and double-mindedness.
In 2:19 the affirmation that God is one is the starting
point for right faith. This is the basic statement of faith in
Deuteronomy 6:4
In contrast to the unity of God is the divided, wavering nature
of people. James uses the Greek dipsychos twice, in 1:8
and 4:8. Translated double-minded, the word brings to mind
the condemnation of the divided hearts in Psalm 12:2 and
Hosea 10:2, and of the sinner who walks in two ways in
Sirach 2:12 (M63).
Those who doubt, are tossed by the wind, or are unstable will
not receive God's wisdom. (James 1:6-8). They are called to single-mindedness,
a mind that is focused on the way of God. Draw near to God
and God will draw near to you proclaims James 4:8.
Drawing near requires cleansing our hands, purifying our hearts,
and giving up double-mindedness. In 4:10 this is summarized as
humbling ourselves. Tamez argues that cleaning our hands requires
giving up the corruption that has made us rich, turning away from
the values of society toward the values of God. It is clear that
we are called to a decision. Johnson argues that James 3:13-4:3
describe the competition, violence, murder and war that result
if we choose the way of the world (J181).
In 4:4 adultery is condemned, it seems likely that for James adultery
is double-mindedness, trying to be friends with the world and
with God. Tamez notes that people who can't make the decision
for God are not trustworthy, they are both with the community
and against it (T48).
The community is called to integrity, but individuals are given
advice for single-minded living as well. James 3:2 calls us to
control our bodies, and 3:9-12 specifically condemns our use of
language to curse one another. You can see the image of double
vs. single-mindedness in James' argument that saltwater cannot
yield fresh. We must chose one way, and that is the way of transparency,
sincerity, and singleness. Thus in 5:12 we should not swear oaths,
but rather simply be honest. Let your "yes" really mean yes! In
verses 13 and 14, James calls individuals to be single-minded
in their care for one another-pray and sing and confess together
that the community might be one before God.
Yet James understands that this call for integrity is a difficult
one. It is not our place to judge our brothers and sisters, but
the job of the  great
Judge. In 4:1-10 sinners are called to repentance, but James follows
immediately with a reminder to avoid judging one another. God
will decide who are the sinners and the saved; it is our job to
live with single-minded focus on God. James 5:9 is even more specific-do
not grumble against one another, lest God judge you. The community
is called to right living, single-minded focus on God's way, and
integrity within the community. We are not to judge one another,
but to work together to live rightly and by God's law. To do this
we must be right in our action, single-minded in our focus, and
we must depend on prayer.
Faith Without Works is Dead
Law | Integrity
| Prayer | Militant
Patience | Top of Page
Scandal
Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
Related
Links
Word Studies: Poor
| Rich | Blessing
Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
Prayer
From the beginning to end, James' call to action is also a call
to prayer. Although it is typical for New Testament letters to
end with a call to prayer, James is significant in the both the
detail and length of his exhortation (M235).
He calls us to prayer in suffering, sickness and oppression, but
also to sing praises or psalms when we are euthumeo: that is,
happy, cheerful, or keeping up courage (James 5:13). "James cannot
imagine a Christian community that is not inspired by prayer,
for it is through prayer that the Christian identity of these
oppressed communities become visible" (T56).
And so James starts turns us to prayer staring in 1:5 inviting
us to God for the gifts we need. And he ends chapter five with
Elijah who uses prayer to show the power of God. Elijah was only
human, yet he prayed confidently and his prayer was answered.
In prayer James continues the theme of single-mindedness and being
unwavering. Right prayer is confident of response, asking in faith
and never doubting (James 1:6). It is not double-minded, but is
focused on God's way. Pray confidently and God will restore us
in every way in (James 5:13-15).
But God's restoration is contingent on our single-minded focus
on God's way. James 4:3-4 is a condemnation of the way of the
world.  Do
not pray for things that the world values! God will not answer
prayers of the rich and oppressors who are friends of the world.
There are no promises for those who remain double-minded, refusing
to choose between God's way and the way of the world. In 5:4,
however, God clearly hears the cries of the oppressed, and in
5:13 the whole community is called to prayer for the suffering.
Moo argues that this suffering includes all forms of oppression,
including the economic oppression by the rich, and the suffering
illustrated by the example of Job-illness, death of family, and
economic disaster (M235).
Are we ill? We should ask the elders (presbuteros) to
pray over us, and to anoint us with oil (James 5:14). The word
astheneo, usually translated weak or feeble,
can mean spiritually weak or physically ill, although in the Gospels
it is always physical illness (M237).
In Mark 6:13, anointing with oil applies to physical healing.
In either case we see in 5:15 that the prayers of the faithful
can forgive our sins. In contrast to the prayers of the elders,
James 5:16 calls everyone to pray for one another, again with
the promise that all the righteous can offer effective prayer.
Faith Without Works is Dead
Law | Integrity
| Prayer | Militant
Patience | Top of Page
Scandal
Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
Related
Links
Word Studies: Poor
| Rich | Blessing
Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
Militant
Patience
The oppressed are called to prayer for their plight, but also
to patience in their suffering. Tamez argues that this call to
patience is also a call to action. Patience, she says, is not
passive or submissive waiting, but militant patience. James is
using a military term as a metaphor for life's battles (T43).
Two Greek words are used for patience in James, hypomonei
and makrothymia. Moo translates the first as what we do
with those who oppress us-long suffering patience with
others. The second is more like strong, determined fortitude
or endurance of the difficulties we face (M222).
However, Moo is skeptical whether the two meanings can be separated
in James, especially in 5:7-11 where James uses both.
Tamez notes that hypomonei, which she translates as
perseverance and resistance, is accompanied by perfect
works in 1:3-4. That is, James call to patience here and in 1:12
is a call to action. It is  resistance
to temptation in 1:12 and growth toward maturity and completeness
in verses 3 and 4. It is the patience of Job in 5:11. Remember
that Job was not patient in terms of submitting to his tribulations,
but was rather one who cried out against his oppression, who argued
with his "friends" and with God, demanding justice for his suffering.
Hypomonei is the perseverance of Romans 5:3-5, which produces
character, but more importantly, brings hope.
Hope is the point, as well, in James 5:7-10. Makrothymia,
or endurance, is holding out in the face of oppression,
holding out with hope for the future. Tamez says the message is
don't despair, or wait, alert for the promised hope
is sure to come (T46).
For James' use of parousia in James 5:7 and 8, translated
coming or presence, is not about some long off kingdom of God.
James says the Judge is at the door, the waiting is like
the time a farmer spends waiting for crops. Waiting for the judge,
enduring for the judge, preparing for the presence that is soon
to be here, this is what James says we must do. See more about
James and the coming end times.
Resources (Link
to full Bibliography
for web site)
Luke Timothy Johnson, The Letter of James in The
New Interpreter's Bible Volume XII, Leander E. Keck et al,
editors. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000).
Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James in The Pillar
New Testament Commentary, DA Carson, general editor. (Grand
Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000).
Elsa Tamez, The Scandalous Message of James: Faith
Without Works Is Dead. John Eagleson, translator. With Study
Guide by Pamela Sparr. (New York: Crossroad Publishing Company,
2002).
Faith Without Works is Dead
Law | Integrity
| Prayer | Militant
Patience | Top of Page
Scandal
Pages
Rusting Riches: Oppression | Now
and Later: Hope | Faith and Works: Praxis
Related
Links
Word Studies: Poor
| Rich | Blessing
Order Tamez' Book: The
Scandalous Message of James
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