Source: Alan Saxby and James Crossley, James, Brother of Jesus, and the Jerusalem Church: A Radical Exploration of Christian Origins (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2015).
Short Version
Long Version
This podcast, "The Primary Evidence: Paul," is the beginning of a scholarly investigation into James, the brother of Jesus, and his place within the earliest Christian movement, specifically the Jakobusgemeinde (the Jerusalem community). The podcast emphasizes using the New Testament as the primary source, acknowledging its limitations but also its crucial role in providing information about James in the first century. While recognizing secondary sources like the Epistles of James and the Gospels, the text prioritizes the contemporary evidence from Paul's letters, particularly Galatians and 1 Corinthians, for understanding James's leadership role and the dynamics of the Jerusalem church. The author highlights the importance of listening to the independent accounts of Paul and Acts before attempting to reconcile their differing perspectives on James and the community.
1. Key Sources for Studying James: The text primarily focuses on Paul's letters and the Acts of the Apostles as the most important first-century sources for understanding James and the Jakobusgemeinde, noting that information about James is limited even in these texts. Secondary sources, like the Epistles of James and Jude, and the Gospels, are considered less certain or incidental for early historical events.
2. Approach to Source Analysis: It is emphasized that Paul's writings and Acts should be read independently as accounts from different perspectives before comparing them. The text also notes that Paul's accounts are shaped by his own perceptions, context, and emotional state, rather than being purely objective historical truth.
3. James' Prominent Role: James, identified as "the Lord's brother," is depicted as a central and leading figure in the proto-Christian movement in Jerusalem and Judea from a very early stage, possibly within five years of Jesus' death. Early traditions place him on a par with Cephas (Peter) in receiving resurrection appearances. By the time of Paul's second visit to Jerusalem, James is clearly the prime leader of the Jakobusgemeinde. His family relationship to Jesus contributed to his status.
4. The Jakobusgemeinde's Identity and Structure: This community in Jerusalem and Judea is presented as the originating point of the movement, growing large enough to be identifiable and face persecution early on. It had a clearly recognized leadership structure, later known as a triumvirate including James, Cephas, and John. The community had a common Judaic identity and accepted Gentile sympathizers, though views varied on the extent of Gentile attachment. Its organization may have mirrored patterns found in Second Temple Judaism, like the Essenes.
5. Paul's Interactions with the Jerusalem Leadership: Paul describes limited early contact with Cephas and James during his first visit to Jerusalem. A later, more significant visit involved meeting the leadership (the Pillars) where Paul presented his mission. This resulted in an agreement, symbolized by "the right hand of fellowship," which Paul interpreted as recognition of his Gentile mission, while the Jakobusgemeinde may have viewed it as permitting a secondary group or demarcating distinct mission spheres (Gentile vs. circumcised). Paul acknowledged the Jakobusgemeinde's authority and chronological priority.
6. The Antioch Incident and the Issue of Gentile Inclusion: The incident in Antioch, where Cephas withdrew from table fellowship with Gentiles after people from James arrived, highlights the central tension over Gentile circumcision and table fellowship. This event demonstrates the influence and authority of James and the Jerusalem leadership, who likely upheld circumcision as the norm in Jerusalem practice, especially in a context where Antioch was viewed by some as within the scripturally defined land of Israel, requiring stricter adherence to Torah. This reveals differing practices and sensitivities regarding purity boundaries within the early movement.