Study # 3
September 3, 1997
Harlingen, Texas
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• I. The Theological factor: Distinguishing James from Paul.
  • A. The setting behind Paul's letter to the Galatians and his message to them.
    • 1. Written primarily to Gentiles.
      • a. Used to the libertinism of impersonal polytheism.
      • b. Aware of the dead-end of self-centered liberty.
      • c. Basically ignorant of law-oriented religion.
    • 2. Written to stop the movement from grace to legalism.
      • a. Everyone knows behavior must change before life can result.
      • b. Changes must conform to an external standard.
      • c. Changes must have a power source.
  • B. The setting behind James' letter to the dispersed Jews and his message to them.
    • 1. Written exclusively to Jews.
      • a. Used to legal religion.
      • b. Aware that law is a dead-end.
      • c. Ignorant of libertinism as a world view.
    • 2. Written to stop the movement from grace to libertinism.
      • a. Salvation is by grace apart from works.
      • b. Law had been set aside as a means to life.
      • c. Freedom was misconstrued to mean license.
• II. The Historical factor: the Events Behind the Message.
  • A. The time frame: Acts 2 - 10.
  • B. The event frame:
    • 1. The death of Ananias and Sapphira.
    • 2. The self-induced poverty for others' sakes.
    • 3. The ostracism by the majority culture.
    • 4. The suffering of physical deprivation.
• III.The Literary factor: James' Structure in His Message.
  • A. General appeal for correct theology in face of trials: 1:1-27 & 5:7-20.
  • B. Specific confrontation of poverty-generated "security" issues: 2:1-26.
  • C. Specific confrontation of ostracism-generated "status" issues: 3:1-18.
  • D. Specific confrontation of conflict-generated "gratification" issues: 4:1-5:6.
• IV. The Subject factor: James' Basic Subject. "How to properly respond to trials"
• V. The Complement factor: James' Basic Claim. "The only proper response is determined believing"