James's divine Christology

2016·5.8 MB·English

by  Wyman, David Michael

ABSTRACT
This work examines Christology in the letter of James. It specifically deals with whether
James has a divine Christology or not. The primary evidence for this study is the letter of
James. Also examined is early Jewish literature and Jewish Scriptures that have historical
or literary relevance to James. Secondary literature that relates to the topic is also
considered.
The thesis begins with a survey of recent scholarship on James' s Christo logy to situate
the current debate on whether or not he has a divine Christology. It then proceeds to
survey recent scholarship on the issue of ancient Jewish monotheism to provide
categories for understanding whether or not James relates to "Lord Jesus Christ" (Jas.
1 : l; 2: l) in ways analogous to how Jewish people related to their covenant God. Then the
thesis briefly surveys how James talks about "God" in his letter. After that, it proceeds to
enter into James's Christology by examining a critical text: James 5:1-11. It then analyzes
James's Christology as a whole in relational categories.
The thesis ofthis paper is that the content and shape of James's Christology, construed as
a relation between the believer and the risen Lord, is analogous only to how Jewish
monotheists related to their covenant deity, YHWH. As such, James's Christology is
divine.
VITA
The author of this work is David Michael Wyman. Born February 15, 1991, in Newton,
Massachusetts, he has lived in Walpole, Massachusetts most of his life. He received his
formal education through the Walpole Public School System. Upon completion of
required studies at Walpole High School, he entered Bridgewater State University in
Bridgewater, Massachusetts. From there, he received the bachelor of arts degree with a
major in history and minor in philosophy, graduating with Commonwealth and
Departmental honors. Immediately after graduation, he entered Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary. His studies, MA (New Testament) and MA (Biblical Languages)
will be completed in August, 2016.
Mr. Wyman currently lives in Walpole, Massachusetts with his wife Emma, his parents
Brent and Anne Marie, and his brother Joe.
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