Source: "Divine Identity Christology in the Epistle of James," by Taylor Tollison: COVENANT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 2021, Academia.edu.

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This document is a research paper submitted to Covenant Theological Seminary, titled "Divine Identity Christology in the Epistle of James," by Taylor Tollison. The paper aims to demonstrate that the epistle of James, despite often being overlooked for its theological content, actually contains an early and high Christology.

Summary of Major Points

The Epistle of James presents claims for Jesus' divinity through various titles and implications, even though it may not explicitly elaborate on them. These claims are often seen as presupposed by James and his audience.

  1. James introduces himself as "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ". The title "Lord" (κύριος) is significant as it is the Septuagintal term for YHWH, suggesting Jesus' inclusion in the unique divine identity.
  2. The epistle refers to believers having "faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory" (James 2:1). The phrase "our Lord Jesus Christ" positions Jesus in a place of authority and allegiance for believers.
  3. The additional phrase "the glory" (τῆς δόξης) in James 2:1 has been interpreted in several ways that point to Jesus' divine status. It could be an appositional title equating Jesus with the Shekinah glory of God, the localized presence of Yahweh. Alternatively, it could refer to Jesus as "the Lord of glory," a title suggesting his participation in God's sovereignty, his reign with God in heaven, and his future role as Lord and Judge.
  4. James speaks of Jesus sharing titles commonly attributed to God the Father, such as Lord (James 1:1, 2:1, 5:7-8, and 14-15) and Judge (James 5:9). This sharing of divine prerogatives underscores a high Christology.
  5. Jesus is also identified as "the Christ" or the Davidic Messiah (James 2:1). While "Messiah" has Jewish connotations of a divinely appointed king, within the context of early Christian belief, it became intertwined with concepts of Jesus' divine sonship and role in salvation.
  6. The power of Jesus' name is recognized for healing (James 5:14), and it is considered significant enough to be blasphemed (James 2:7). This highlights the sacred and powerful nature associated with Jesus.
  7. The very act of having "faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" implies a high Christology, as Jesus is presented as the object of believers' faith. In the broader New Testament context, Jesus is also seen as the object of worship and the one to whom prayers and doxologies are addressed.

These elements within the Epistle of James, while sometimes unstated or implicit, strongly suggest an early, high Christology where Jesus is not merely a human figure but possesses divine attributes and status within the monotheistic framework of early Jewish Christianity.