Abstract
dc:description.abstractThis study makes a case that eschatological approval is a unifying motif in the epistle of James. While themes like friendship, wisdom, obedience, and perfection have been demonstrated in the epistle of James, none of these occurs in every major portion of the epistle. Eschatological approval, or a favourable verdict from God in the end, runs like a thread through every major section addressed to the hearers. This study is developed in several stages. First, it establishes that James 1:2–27 serves as the introductory prologue of the epistle. Also, James 1 introduces major concepts of James, such as the use of speech, the rich and poor, and coming judgment. Next, this study contends for the structure of James. We examine two uses of a grand inclusio in James: 1:12/5:11 and 2:12–13/4:11–12. Next, using the principle of cohesiveness, we segment James into sections. We provide a tentative outline for the structure of James based on these principles. In the third stage, we examine eschatological approval in the text of the epistle. First, we make a case that the main idea is developed in the introductory prologue. The repeated themes in the beginning (Jas 1:2–3), middle (1:12), and end (1:25) of the prologue reveal a double-inclusio that points to 1:12 as a key saying that sums up the main idea: the author is concerned for his hearers to have a favourable verdict in divine eschatological judgment. After that, we examine James 2–5 to see how this main idea recurs throughout each section as delineated earlier. We will make the case that the motif of eschatological approval is the recurring motif that holds the epistle together. Even 4:13–5:6, which addresses those outside the epistle’s hearers, addresses eschatological approval by presenting the other side of eschatological judgment. The study concludes by arguing that James 1:12 is the thesis statement for the epistle, presenting both the main idea of the prologue and the thread that runs through the body of James. This main idea is reprised at Jas 5:11, with its repetition of the concepts of blessedness and perseverance. Ultimately, the author of James directs his hearers so that they will be approved by God at eschatological judgment.
Degree
thesis:*- Name dc:type.qualificationname
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
- Doctoral
- Grantor dc:publisher.institution
- University of Cambridge
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2021
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Eng, Daniel K
- Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Carleton Paget, James
Subjects
dc:subject × 6Rights
dc:rightsIdentifiers
dc:identifier.*- DOI dc:identifier.doi
- https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.66210
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/319094