The Significance of Exemplars for the Interpretation of the Letter of James (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament, 2. Reihe)

In this book, Robert J. Foster explores James' use of his four characters from Jewish history and tradition (Abraham, Rahab, Job and Elijah) and considers their collective as well as individual functions in the composition. He concludes that each of the four exemplars was tested to the extreme (albeit in very different ways) yet remained wholly-committed to God. By reason of that commitment each exemplar became an outsider in both their cultural and historical contexts. 'James' urges his audience to emulate these exemplars in their less extreme tests of daily life by rejecting the values of the world and living according to the reinterpreted Torah of Jesus Christ. Cover Preface Table of Contents Biblical and other Quotations Chapter 1: A Brief Jacobean Tragedy Chapter 2: Genre, Structure, Date & Authorship 2.1 The Genre Debate 2.2 The Structure Debate 2.3 The Dating and Authorship Debate Chapter 3: James 1 as an Introduction to the Book’s Themes Introduction 3.1 The Greeting (Jas 1:1) 3.1.1 The Author’s Self-Identification 3.1.2 The Recipients 3.2 The Purpose of Trials (Jas 1:2–4) 3.3 The Need for Wisdom and for Trust in God (Jas 1:5–8) 3.4 The Poor and the Wealthy: the Great Reversal (Jas 1:9–11) 3.5 Trials and the True Source of Temptation (Jas 1:12–16) 3.6 The Generous Life-giving God (Jas 1:17–18) 3.7 Response to the Gift of the λόγος ἀληθείας (Jas 1:19–21) 3.8 ‘Doers’ and ‘Hearers’ of the Word Contrasted (Jas 1:22–25) 3.9 Empty and True Religion Contrasted (Jas 1:26–27) 3.10 Summary of Themes in James 1 3.11 An Eschatological Lens? 3.12 The Jesus Tradition in the Book of James 3.13 Λόγος and Νόμος in the Book of James 3.14 Conclusion Chapter 4: Abraham Introduction 4.1 Abraham in the Hebrew Bible 4.2 Abraham in Deuterocanonical Literature 4.3 Abraham in the Book of Jubilees: a Synopsis and Reflection 4.4 Abraham at Qumran 4.5 Abraham in Philo and Josephus Introduction 4.5.1 Abraham in Philo 4.5.2 Abraham in Josephus 4.5.3 Summary of Abraham in Philo and Josephus 4.6 Abraham in Other NT Works 4.6.1 Abraham in the Gospels and the Book of Acts 4.6.2 Abraham in the Pauline Letters 4.6.3 Abraham in Hebrews 4.6.4 Summary 4.7 Abraham in the Book of James 4.7.1 James 2:1–13 – A Brief Review 4.7.2 A Hypothetical Example (Jas 2:14–17) 4.7.3 A Hypothetical Objection (Jas 2:18–20) 4.7.4 The Example of Abraham (Jas 2:21–24) 4.7.4.1 A Rhetorical Question about the Akedah (Jas 2:21) 4.7.4.2 The Interaction of Faith and Works (Jas 2:22) 4.7.4.3 Intertextuality and a Patriarch’s Reward (Jas 2:23) 4.7.4.4 Justification: the Author’s Conclusion (Jas 2:24) 4.8 Conclusion: What does the Author’s Use of Abraham Tell Us? Chapter 5: Rahab Introduction 5.1 Rahab in the Hebrew Bible 5.2 Rahab in Early Judaism 5.3 Rahab in Other NT Works and Early Christian Literature 5.4 Interim Summary 5.5 Rahab in the Book of James (Jas 2:25) 5.5.1 Rahab: A Surprising Choice 5.5.2 Rahab’s Unique Contribution 5.5.3 An Examination of Rahab’s ‘Works’ 5.5.4 The Contrast Between Rahab and Abraham 5.5.5 Purported Similarities Between Rahab and Abraham 5.5.5.1 Hospitality 5.5.5.2 Proselytes and Outsiders 5.5.5.3 Definitive Tests of Faith and Commitment 5.6 An Apt Aphorism (Jas 2:26) 5.7 Summary and Conclusion Chapter 6: Job Introduction 6.1 Job in the Hebrew Bible 6.2 Job in Second Temple Judaism and Rabbinic Thought 6.3 The Context of Job in the Book of James Introduction 6.3.1 Judgement Against Rich Landowners (Jas 5:1–6) 6.3.2 A Call to Patient Endurance (Jas 5:7–11) 6.4 Job: Yπομονή and Reward (Jas 5:11) 6.5 Job – Just an Exemplar of Yπομονή? 6.6 Summary and Conclusion Chapter 7: Elijah Introduction 7.1 Elijah Against the World (1 Kings 17–19) 7.2 Elijah in Malachi and Second Temple Literature 7.3 Elijah in Other NT Works 7.4 Context of the Reference to Elijah in James (Jas 5:12–16) 7.4.1 Oaths (Jas 5:12) 7.4.2 Sickness and Healing (Jas 5:13–16) 7.5 Elijah as an Exemplar of Prayer (Jas 5:17–18) 7.6 Elijah and the Wanderers (Jas 5:19–20) 7.7 Summary and Conclusion Chapter 8: Four Exemplars: A Unity of Purpose? Introduction 8.1 Common Threads Linking the Four Exemplars Identified 8.1.1 A Whole-Hearted Commitment to God 8.1.2 The Exemplars as Outsiders 8.1.3 The Exemplars Facing their Πειρασμοι Alone 8.2 What Does the Author’s Use of the Exemplars Tell Us? 8.3 Conclusion Bibliography Index of Biblical & Other Ancient Sources Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Dead Sea Scrolls Philo Josephus Other Jewish Literature Early Christian Sources Other Ancient Sources Index of Selected Modern Authors Index of Subjects "What was the function of the four characters from Jewish history and tradition in the Letter of James? Robert J. Foster analyses James' use of these characters and argues that despite each of them being tested to the extreme they all remained wholly-committed to God"-- Back cover