James: For Dispys

[bleechers]

To whom is the Book of James addressed in your view (How do you read "the twelve tribes scattered abroad")?

How do you use the book?

What other books do you equate with James in terms of the dispensations?

 

[@@Paul@@]

To whom is the Book of James addressed in your view (How do you read "the twelve tribes scattered abroad")?

How do you use the book?

What other books do you equate with James in terms of the dispensations?

OK i'll bite!!

1) The Book of James is written to the Jews of the Diaspora.

2) I'm not really sure how i would use it, I do see some contrasting doctrines within James and some other epistles. But i also see a lot of good teachings, specially watching one's tongue, pride, etc.. etc..
............AND i will dare say the most over quoted and misunderstood verse in the Bible lies in James.

Jam 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.​

3) James in a sense is about earning something, so i would also link the book of Hebrews as a kingdom message. - the good AND the bad were invited to the wedding, only the good make it in as He will meet with the gathered of Israel to judge who will be worthy of entrance into the Land (Eze. 20).

 

[BT]

To whom is the Book of James addressed in your view (How do you read "the twelve tribes scattered abroad")?

How do you use the book?

What other books do you equate with James in terms of the dispensations?

Here's my $1.42

The Book of James is written to Jewish Christians in mind but is applicable to all believers. How do I read "..to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad"? I read it in relation to the next couple of verses which indicate that the audience are believers in Christ

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

"My brethren" can be taken in a couple of different ways.
1) Christians (as in Christian brethren as used in places like Acts12:17)
2) Jews (Paul refers to them as "brethren, kinsmen according to the flesh" as in Romans 9:3)


How do I use the book?

Well that's a big question. I use it for all kinds of stuff. I recently used it when I taught some teens on "taming the tongue". I've used it for "Saved by Faith" or "Saved by Works" discourses. I constantly use it when someone attempts to show it as a contradiction in Scripture. etc. etc. etc.

What other books do I equate with James in terms of the dispensations?

I'm not exactly sure what this question is asking. I see it in terms of useful for this current dispensation.... so I suppose I equate it with all the other books of the Bible, which I consider as useful for this dispensation. I'm not sure if that's the right way to answer that question tho..

That's my story and I'm stickin to it!

 

[Iosias]

To whom is the Book of James addressed in your view (How do you read "the twelve tribes scattered abroad")?

It could be a designation for believrs everywhere (likely all Jewish Christians at that early date). However the distinctly Jewish character of the teaching marks it off as being written at an early period in Acts and its doctrinal tone closely follows the precepts of the Sermon on the Mount. It is plainely addressed to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad lit. in the dispersion. In days soon to come it will appeal to Israel when the gospel of the kingdom is once more announced.

How do you use the book?

Not very often

What other books do you equate with James in terms of the dispensations?

The gospels and pre-Acts 15.

 

[bleechers]

AV1611- Would you equate Peter's epistles with James' epsitle dispensationally?


@@Paul@@ - I also like to start my defense of the gospel of grace in James... drives 'em crazy! Of course, I move quickly to Paul, but it kinda takes the wind out of their sails.

 

[@@Paul@@]

@@Paul@@ - I also like to start my defense of the gospel of grace in James... drives 'em crazy! Of course, I move quickly to Paul, but it kinda takes the wind out of their sails.

Hebrews works pretty well too, It was even written BY Paul - makes 'em stop and think EVERY time...

 

[BT]

Hebrews works pretty well too, It was even written BY Paul - makes 'em stop and think EVERY time...

Many would argue with that quote. But I would not.

 

[@@Paul@@]

Many would argue with that quote. But I would not.

Here's one reason why i believe Paul wrote the book.

If Paul didn't write it, He was the author of only 13 New Testament books. 6 books were written during his Acts ministry AND 7 would then be written after.
During Paul's acts ministry the Holy Spirit was very careful to "even" things out. i.e. there were 12 Apostles of the Lamb (Peter and the 11) , there were also 12 Apostles of Grace (Paul and the 11)........ Likewise Paul did miracles, just as Peter did... etc.. etc..

I believe Paul wrote 14 books, 7 during <ACTS> 7 after.

 

[Iosias]

AV1611- Would you equate Peter's epistles with James' epsitle dispensationally?

Not especially...I see no reason to do so...yourself?

1 Peter 1
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
2 Peter 1
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

 

[bleechers]

Not especially...I see no reason to do so...yourself?

Only in that Peter was separated unto the circumcision (Gal 2).

 

[Iosias]

Only in that Peter was separated unto the circumcision (Gal 2).

But does that mean everything he said and did solely concerned the Jewish Christians? Paul was separated to the Gentiles so does that mean all his epistles are not for Jewish Christian?

 

[bleechers]

But does that mean everything he said and did solely concerned the Jewish Christians? Paul was separated to the Gentiles so does that mean all his epistles are not for Jewish Christian?

No. Just seeing what you thought. Dispensationally speaking, I was curious how people treated Paul's epistles in light of how they view the other epistles, especially James and Peter's 2 epistles.

Some see Hebrews as specifically Jewish-Christian as well. I was just sort of feeling out the folks in this forum.

 

[Iosias]

Some see Hebrews as specifically Jewish-Christian as well. I was just sort of feeling out the folks in this forum.

On Hebrews I think that it is important for the church to understand, but its doctrinal emphasis is directed toward Jews, i.e those who were under the "Old Covenant".

 

[@@Paul@@]

On Hebrews I think that it is important for the church to understand, but its doctrinal emphasis is directed toward Jews, i.e those who were under the "Old Covenant".

That's odd you would say that...

Do you hold to an early or late dating of the book?

 

[BT]

Actually Hebrews has 3 target audiences.

 

[@@Paul@@]

I can name that audience in just one group... Those that "crossed the river" looking for a "better country"....

 

[Iosias]

Do you hold to an early or late dating of the book?

I believe that it was written prior to AD70

 

[Iosias]

This is Darby's take on James:

"The Epistle of James is not addressed to the assembly, and does not take the ground of apostolic authority over the persons to whom it is sent. It is a practical exhortation which still recognises the twelve tribes and the connection of the christian Jews with them, as John addressed the Gentiles, although the Jewish people had their place before God. Thus the Spirit of God still acknowledges here the relationship with Israel, as in the other case the relationship with Gentiles, and the rights of God which are unchangeable, whatever may be the special privileges granted to the assembly or to Israel respectively. We know that historically the christian Jews remained Jews to the end of the New Testament history, and were even zealous for the law — to us a strange thing, but which God endured for a time.

The doctrine of Christianity is not the subject of this epistle. It gives God His place in the conscience, and with regard to all that surrounds us. It thus girds up the loins of the Christina, presenting also the near coming of the Lord and His present discipline — a discipline with respect to which the assembly of God ought to possess intelligence, and activity founded thereon. The world also, and all that makes an appearance in it, is judged from God's point of view.

A few remarks on the position of Christians (that is, on the way in which this position is viewed with respect to Israel) will help us to understand this portion of the word...[and so it continues]"

 

[BT]

This is Scofield's take on James:

By "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" we are to understand, not Jews, but Chritian Jews of the Dispersion. The church began with such (Acts 2:5-11), and James, who seems not to have left Jerusalem, would feel a aparticular pastoral responsibility for these scattered sheep. They still resorted to the synagogues, or called their own assemblies by that name (Jas. 2:2, where "assembly" is "synagogue" in the Gr.). It appears from Jas. 2:1-8 that they still held the synagogue courts for the trial of causes arising amongst themselves. The Epistle, then, is elementary in the extreme. To suppose that Jas. 2:14-26 is a polemic against Paul's doctrine of justification is absurd. Neither Galatians nor Romans was yet written.
James' theme, then, is "religion" (Gr. threskeia, "outward religious service") as the expression and proof of faith. He does not exalt words as against faith, but faith as producing works. His style is that of the Wisdom-books of the O.T.
The divisions are five .... (it goes on)

 

[BT]

This is John Phillips' take on James:

The epistle is addressed to "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" but it is evident from its contents that it is primarily addressed to Jewish Christians. It is generally agreed that the epistle was written before the fall of Jerusalem and probably even before the Council of Jerusalem. Some maintain that it is the earliest of all the New Testament documents. It could well have been written to those who had been present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and who had carried away with them the barest essentials of Christianity - in fact little more than the Messiahship of Jesus. James wrote in the style of an Old Testament prophet. His language was vivid and picturesque. He covered a wide range of subjects and drew repeatedly on the Old Testament, even the Apocrypha. It has been pointed out that, more than any other book of the New Testament, the book of James reflects the language of the Sermon on the Mount. The book is quite evidently not intended to be a theological treatise but rather a moral appeal.... (it goes on)