Quote:
Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah
The book of James is written “to the 12 tribes that are scattered abroad”. This book is written right at the beginning of the New Testament, the transition from the Old Testament to the New...
Witness Lee taught that writing to these believers indicates James was not clear on the New Testament. I would completely disagree with this. Instead I would say that this verse indicates James burden is with those having trouble making that transition...
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This is a very good point, ZNP. James was talking in a language the "12 tribes" could understand. Maybe that's one reason James made it to the Bible, because God wanted another book besides Hebrews which could speak to Jews. Hebrews is on the high, theological level, but
James speaks the way Jews think.
We are so used to Western, Greco-Roman-influenced thinking--which Paul spoke in, being the Apostle to the Gentiles--that unless you actually read something written by a real, practicing Jew you don't know how differently they think*. Their's is a life very much directed by simple wisdom and maxims. They don't think so much in terms of eternity as in how we should live on this earth today. Perhaps the reason James didn't speak in the language of "God's economy" was because he wanted to speak in a language Jews would relate to.
* A good example is the book
Thou Shalt Prosper, a book written on money by a Jewish rabbi. Very interesting and wise, but it almost sounds like someone from another world.