James was a prominent figure in early Christianity, especially within the Jerusalem community known as the Jakobusgemeinde. Our understanding of James comes primarily from the letters of Paul and the book of Acts, supplemented by the Epistles of James and Jude, and writings by Josephus. These sources depict the Jakobusgemeinde as a group centered in Jerusalem with a strong Jewish identity and a focus on the Torah. A striking feature across these texts, particularly Paul's letters, the Epistles of James and Jude, and the Lucan account in Acts, is a notable absence of detail regarding Jesus' life and ministry in Galilee, including his parables, healings, baptism, and temptation. Instead, the emphasis tends to be on the "mythic Christ," focusing on his death and resurrection. While the later narrative of Acts tends to highlight Peter and Paul, it nonetheless indicates James's significant authority within the Jerusalem church, which is also evident in Paul's contemporary letters. Recent scholarship has revived interest in James, emphasizing his importance within the context of Second Temple Judaism.
James, The Lost Brother of Jesus
The Family and the Brothers of Jesus
James And The Jerusalem “Church”: Putting It All Together
Luke’s Gospel: Thirty Years On
A Black Hole at the Galactic Center of Early Jewish Christianity?