The [Apocryphal] Letter of James Overview

THE LETTER OF JAMES

• Date: > 300

• Claimed Author: James

• Sect: Gnostic? Valentinian?

• Provence: Egypt?

• Original Language: Greek

• Sometimes this epistle is categorized as a type of literature known as “Dialogues of the Saviour”

pgs. 675-681

1-2. James addresses his book to someone (whose name is lost). He claims the book wasn’t even disclosed to all of the 12 disciples. James mentions how the 12 disciples used to all sit together at the same time and remember what Jesus said to all of them, “secretly or openly”, and write it down in books. While James was doing this, Jesus appeared to them and then disappeared. 520 days after his ascension, Jesus tells them to follow him to the place he is returning to. He takes Peter and James with him.

3-5. Jesus tells them to “become full of the spirit but lacking in reason.” James mentions how they have left everything to follow Jesus. He asks not to be tempted by the Devil. Jesus asks what credit he has if he does the Father’s will without the temptation of Satan? If he is oppressed by Satan and still does it, then the Father will love him. He tells them that their sufferings don’t compare to how long the world existed—they are for but an hour.

6:1-20. The disciples tell Jesus, “Do not proclaim the cross and death to us, for they are far from you.” Jesus tells them, “Truly, I say to you, none will be saved unless they believe in my cross… Become seekers of death, therefore, like the dead who are seeking life, for what they seek is manifest to them… When you inquire into the subject of death, it will teach you about election. In truth, I say to you, none will be saved who are afraid of death; for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are dead. He tells them, “Become better than I; be like the son of the Holy Spirit.”

6:25-7:15. James asks how they will be able to prophesy when people ask them. Jesus says that “the head of prophecy was severed with John.” Jesus then urges them to “be eager to be saved without being urged. Instead, become zealous on your own and, if possible, surpass even me. For that is how the Father will love you.

7:20-8:30. Jesus tells them not to let the kingdom of heaven “wither away.” He tells them to “become eager for instruction.” The prerequisites for it are: faith, then love, and lastly works. Instruction is like a grain of wheat. Someone sowed it when he had faith, loved it when it sprouted, and envisioned many grains in place of one. He kept some of it for food and the rest to be sown. The disciples must also receive the kingdom of heaven through knowledge.

9:10-25. Jesus says, “The Father does not need me. For a father does not need a son, but it is the son who needs the father. To him do I go, for the Father of the Son does not need you. He tells them to “pay attention to instruction, understand knowledge, love life. And no one will persecute you…other than you yourselves.”

10. Jesus reprimands the disciples and says, “It is easier for a holy one to descend into defilement…than for you to reign-or even not to! Jesus claims he would not have come down to earth if those he spoke to listened to him. “Be ashamed for [those people].” He goes away because he didn’t want to be with them any longer, and they didn’t want him to be with them.

11:10-15. Jesus pronounces woes on them for needing an intercessor and needing grace. He explains how the body doesn’t sin without the soul, and the soul isn’t saved without the spirit. The spirit animates the body, and the soul kills it. The soul kills itself. “None of those who have worn the flesh will be saved. Do you think, then, that many have found the kingdom of heaven? Blessed is whoever has envisioned himself as the fourth one in heaven.”

13.15-25. “Do not let the kingdom of heaven become desolate among you. Do not be arrogant about the light that enlightens. Rather, behave toward yourselves in the way that I have toward you: I placed myself under a curse for you, so that you might be saved.”

13:25-30. Peter is confused as to why Jesus tells them to seek the kingdom sometimes and then turns them away from it at others. Jesus tells them how he has already offered them faith many times. “Disregard rejection when you hear it, but when you hear about the promise, exult all the more. In truth, I say to you, whoever receives life and believes in the kingdom will never leave it-not even if the Father wishes to banish him.”

151:-16:1. Peter and James see Jesus ascend into heaven and hear angelic hymns. The other disciples come and ask what Jesus told them. They just say that Jesus ascended and promised them all life and showed them the children to come after them so that they “shall be saved for their sake.”

16:1-10. James had them all go to a different place, but he went to Jerusalem to pray so that he “might obtain a share with the beloved who are to appear.”