James

Question 1

Audience

Answer 1

Likely Syrian Jewish-Christian agricultural workers

Question 2

Date

Answer 2

Possibly before AD 50 and certainly before AD 62 (when James was martyred). Might be earliest written book (or Galatians).

Question 3

Theme - Major

Answer 3

God enables a life of faith that works itself out in action, especially with mercy for those most vulnerable

Question 4

Outline

Answer 4

1. Greetings
2. Statement of 3 key themes
   A. Trials in the Christian Life
   B. Wisdom
   C. Riches and poverty
3. Restatement of the 3 theme
   A. Trials / temptation in relation to God
   B. Wisdom in the areas of speech and obedience
   C. The “have nots” and the responsibility of the “haves”
4. The 3 theme expanded
   A. Riches and poverty
   B. Wisdom and speech
   C. Trials and temptations
5. Closing

Question 5

Place of Writing

Answer 5

Jerusalem

Question 6

Audience 2

Answer 6

Probably Jewish-Chrisitians from the early Jerusalem church that had been scattered after the stoning of Stephen as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Syrian Antioch

Question 7

Occassion

Answer 7

Instruct and encouraged a dispersed people in the face of their difficulties

Question 8

Themes

Answer 8

Faith that works. Focus on life’s trials and temptations, speech ethics and wisdom, money matters. Human duplicity versus God’s single mindedness.

Question 9

Author

Answer 9

James, a leader of the Jerusalem church, probably the brother of Jesus

Question 10

Distinctive Characteristics

Answer 10

1. Unmistakably Jewish nature.
2. Emphasis on vital Christianity, characterized by good deeds and a faith that works
3. Repetition of key ideas that do not follow an outline
4. Familiarity of teachings preserved in the Sermon on the Mount
5. Familiarity with Wisdom writings such as Proverbs.
6. Excellent Greek