Reflection on the Letter of James

   The Letter of James is composed with practical wisdom. Whereas Paul’s letter focused on the Gentiles, the Letter of James focused on Jewish Christian Community. Also, its structure is different from Paul’s letters. Paul’s used and expanded Hellenic style, in order to effectively write his epistle for the Gentiles. Otherwise, although James uses Hellenic greeting (1:1), there is no personal greeting, the names of any members of the congregation addressed, and references to specific present situation or past event. Therefore, last of the letter of James are filled with practical wisdoms. However, these wisdoms make an antithesis in this letter. Last of chapter 1 summarizes all themes in the body of this letter (1:2-27). In chapter 5 verses 19-20 make an antithesis with summary of chapter 1, it makes conclusion that sums up practical and theological consequences. James 2:1-26 and 5:7-18 make another antithesis. James explains relationship between Faith and Works that Christians need to act out of religious conviction (2:1-26). James readdresses about religious conviction that steadfastness in trial and prayer (5:7-18). Another antithesis is 3:1-12 and 4:11-5:6 where addressed about the work of the community and proper speech (3:1-12) and improper speech and the work of the rich (4:11-5:6). Also, James discusses about friendship with the world versus friendship with God in the center of the letter (3:13-4:10).

      Elsa Tamez tries to re-read James in order to make clear the radical message of James that has been intercepted by powerful and provocative voice. As a Latin American liberation theologian, Tamez claims that the message of James is a hope for the poor, oppressed and marginalized. However, dominant groups intercepted the Letter of James. She tries to read by three angles, which are the angle of oppression, the angle of hope, and the angle of praxis. The angle of oppression views the text of James through the eyes of people who oppressed. She tries to make clear distorted message of James by wealthy Christians and claims that wealthy Christians need to work to meet the material needs of the poor and despondent. The angle of hope is her stance about James’ message that takes positive stance for people who are being oppressed. The angle of praxis is looking at James’ calls on people who are being oppressed to be patience, in order to get liberation.

      The cause of the poverty is ill-treatment of those who are wealthy people. If workers get their justifiable wage, the problem of poverty would not be raised. However, if they do not get their justifiable wage, they would be the poor. They are totally the weak. They cannot fight against ill treatment because they know that their struggle cannot bring their food for today. They need to take their life as mortgage when they fight against those who are oppressing. However, people who are oppressing do not need to take their life as mortgage.

      For the poor, the most joyous fact is that God is in solidarity with in them, loves them, and prefers them. Therefore, they can find joy from praxis and wait for liberation. Ultimately, the judgment of God would be the great hope for the poor because God will be side of the poor when the Day of Judgment will come.

      James calls us to be patience, but this patience is more active than general notion. Tamez says that the patience is can be translated as “to preserve, to resist, to be constant, unbreakable, and immovable.” Actually, our norm of patience is very passive. However, we need to change our norm of patience more actively for Christian perfection.

      As reading James, one thing came up in my mind that “pisitis christou.” I believe that the faith of Christ is a key to make clear the distorted messages by dominant group. Actually, if we see the Letter of James through faith of Christ, the message of James cannot be judged scandalous. Obviously, the Christ event reached out to those who were being oppressed. As Christ did, if we do Jesus things what Christ done, how can ill treatments are arise in us? How can we ill-treat the poor, the orphans and the widows? Tamez wants us to see what we missed and distorted messages in the Bible by dominant groups.