In the last several issues of this article I have begun sharing thoughts about the Letter of St. James, considered to be the Brother of the Lord and the First Bishop of Jerusalem. This letter, which is the only one attributed to him and contained in the New Testament (NT) canon, is one of seven letters that have been given the title “catholic”. The seven letters are: James, 1, 2 and 3 John; 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. This title has been given to these letters because they appear to lack specific addressees and therefore can be directed to the whole church. It should be noted that the inspired character of these letters was disputed in the early church and only accepted as inspired at the beginning of the fifth century.

The author of this letter concerns himself entirely with Christian conduct. He writes in the spirit of the Old Testament wisdom literature and of the moral teaching of Tobit or Tobias (Found in Catholic and Orthodox editions of the Old Testament). Although it is usually listed with the historical books, it more correctly stands midway between them and the wisdom literature. It contains numerous maxims like those found in the wisdom books. From his letter, it is evident that James was influenced by the tradition of moral exhortation that was in Judaism.

In Christian history, James has sometimes been controversial. Martin Luther called it “an epistle of straw” and wanted to excise it from the NT. Paul’s message of justification by grace through faith” was for Luther the heart of Christianity and he thought James emphasized “works” too much.

You will recall that Protestantism is known by the fact that it asserts that faith alone is needed for salvation. Catholic and Orthodox Christians maintain that faith and good works are needed since faith without good works is meaningless. Good works provide the evidence necessary to demonstrate that a person truly believes in Jesus as Redeemer and Lord.

Few Christians today would be bold enough to advocate throwing a book out of the Bible. But many have perhaps unknowingly sided with Luther’s verdict on James, that what matters most is what we believe and not what we do. James called his audience beyond belief to action: Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers. Rather than being an epistle of straw, it is a fiery and passionate letter.

Finally, it should be noted that James echoes more sayings of Jesus than any document in the NT other than the gospels themselves. Its fiery passion reflects the passion of Jesus Himself.

James was the adviser of Paul on the latter’s arrival in Jerusalem. The letter is datable before 62 CE when James was executed in Jerusalem. It is a source for the Anointing of the Sick as a sacrament