Basically written out of history in favor of peter and paul.
He is a critical link as the brother of the christian jesus. He was undisputedly the leader of the "Jerusalem church" James is a recoverable historical figure. An important figure in the post Jesus time period. He led the movement for 30 years. He was a imo a very frum Jew who followed a teacher that is now called Jesus. Therefore his nickname "James the Just" or Yacov haTzaddik . I am not a follower of these writings, but looking at them from a historical textual perspective I believe that much has been lost. I really dont believe either John the Baptist, Jesus, James came to teach a "new" religion called christianity. I believe that any of these three would fall out if they walked into any christian church today of any denomination. I believe Pauls writings are diametrically opposed to the writings of the aforementioned. Paul who never walked with Jesus or met him in person, opposes those who did. Because Paul had a "vision". The others didnt need a vision they walked with Jesus for years. He was their teacher. I am interested in the historical perspective, not from a emotional perspective, but rather as a interesting rung in the ladder that has affected modern civilization.
The Rejection of Pascals Wager
It appears the the decree issued by James was in agreement with what is even today considered a righteous path for gentiles.
My question is, how did a pious Jew like James become a "christian"? I dont think he did.
I believe he remained a pious Jew all his life. One who followed and wrote of his teacher, as did numerous Jews. It is tradition for the student to be the one to write what his teacher taught.
There is much more on the subject of James, I find him a fascinating historical figure.
He is a critical link as the brother of the christian jesus. He was undisputedly the leader of the "Jerusalem church" James is a recoverable historical figure. An important figure in the post Jesus time period. He led the movement for 30 years. He was a imo a very frum Jew who followed a teacher that is now called Jesus. Therefore his nickname "James the Just" or Yacov haTzaddik . I am not a follower of these writings, but looking at them from a historical textual perspective I believe that much has been lost. I really dont believe either John the Baptist, Jesus, James came to teach a "new" religion called christianity. I believe that any of these three would fall out if they walked into any christian church today of any denomination. I believe Pauls writings are diametrically opposed to the writings of the aforementioned. Paul who never walked with Jesus or met him in person, opposes those who did. Because Paul had a "vision". The others didnt need a vision they walked with Jesus for years. He was their teacher. I am interested in the historical perspective, not from a emotional perspective, but rather as a interesting rung in the ladder that has affected modern civilization.
The Rejection of Pascals Wager
| Quote: |
| James brief appearances in the New Testament - at the Jerusalem council, as the "instigator" of the incident at Antioch and at the reception of Paul's final visit to Jerusalem - all testify to the fact that he was a zealous upholder of Jewish or Mosaic laws. These include the issue of circumcision and dietary laws. |
| Quote: |
| The first account we will look at is the Jerusalem council, given in Acts 15. The Jerusalem council, as we may recall, was called by the early church to resolve the issue of whether gentiles converts need to be circumcised, and in general adhere to the Mosaic laws, in order to be saved. In his judgement, James was reported by Acts as saying:
Acts 15:19-20 [James speaking] "Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood." |
| Quote: |
| Aboda Zara 8,4
Seven commandments were given to the children of Noah: concerning the establishment of courts of justice, idolatry, blasphamy, fornication, the shedding of blood, theft and limbs torn from a living animal. The list of Noachite commandments vary somewhat in Jewish literature but they all relate to prohibitions covering three basic crimes or prohibited actions: fornication, idolatry/blasphemy and "from" blood. The last area, "from" blood, applies to both food laws (where animals are to be completely drained of their blood before they can be consumed) as well as crimes such as murder (where the blood of the victim is shed). |
It appears the the decree issued by James was in agreement with what is even today considered a righteous path for gentiles.
| Quote: |
| The other passage in Acts shows James continued adherence to the law. This is taken from Paul's last trip to Jerusalem:
Acts 21:17-20 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us warmly. The next day Paul went with us to visit James; and all the elders were present...They said to him [Paul], "You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law." This shows that James and his elders at the Jerusalem Church continued to affirm, the validity of the Jewish Law since it was added (by James and the elders) that the new followers were zealous for the law. We can conclude then, that in the few appearances James made in the New Testament he came across as a very pious Jew who continued to uphold the validity of the Torah for both Jews and Gentiles! |
My question is, how did a pious Jew like James become a "christian"? I dont think he did.
I believe he remained a pious Jew all his life. One who followed and wrote of his teacher, as did numerous Jews. It is tradition for the student to be the one to write what his teacher taught.
There is much more on the subject of James, I find him a fascinating historical figure.
