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).
Tradition and Memories ACTS.wav
This podcast explores the book of Acts, examining its relationship to Paul's letters and highlighting Luke's complex role as both redactor and author. Unlike Paul's immediate accounts, Acts is presented as a later, carefully constructed history that reflects the concerns of the emerging Gentile church, portraying the growth of the movement "from Jerusalem to Rome." The text emphasizes the centrality of the Jerusalem community, led by James, and its rootedness in Torah-observant Judaism, while also acknowledging the tension between this community and Paul's Gentile mission. Luke's account, though shaped by his later perspective, incorporates various traditions and reveals the evolving structure and ethos of the Jakobusgemeinde.
1. The Nature of Acts as a Historical Document: The sources describe Acts as a carefully constructed literary text written towards the end of the first or early in the second century, reflecting the issues and concerns of that later day. It is a reconstructive rather than descriptive task, drawing on memories and traditions of varying quality and provenance. Luke, the writer, acts as both redactor, shaping available material, and author, creating narrative and structure, especially where traditions were fragmented.
2. Luke's Reluctant Portrayal of James: Despite James, the brother of Jesus, being an acknowledged leader of the Jerusalem community (the Jakobusgemeinde), Luke exhibits an evident reluctance in speaking of James, giving him a low-key presentation. James is never introduced or identified upon his initial appearance, and Luke consistently declines any reinforcement of his position, scripting him in only when unavoidable because the story could not be told without him.
3. James' Unequivocal Leadership in Jerusalem: The sources emphasize that James was the unequivocally recognized leading figure of the Jerusalem community, even by Peter, from the earliest days. He is presented as the Guardian/mebaqqer of the assembly, presiding over meetings, summarizing debates, interpreting scripture, and advocating policy. This status points to James having acquired Quasi-rabbinic status within the community.
4. The Pivotal Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15): This event is presented as chronologically and theologically central to Luke's account, with James holding center-stage. The conference addressed the issue of circumcision for Gentile converts, a concern originating within the Jakobusgemeinde. While Luke portrays a process of discussion leading to an agreed resolution (the Conference Concordat), the sources note this contrasts with Paul's account of fierce confrontation, suggesting Luke constructs the narrative to emphasize unity and harmony.
5. The Jakobusgemeinde as a Torah-Observant Movement: The sources describe the Jakobusgemeinde as a community deeply rooted within Second Temple Judaism, characterized by zeal for the Law and valuing the Torah as their scriptures. They saw themselves as a variety of Judaism, aiming for the renewal and restoration of Israel. The community had a developed organizational structure with an assembly, a council of apostles and elders, and a president (James), showing affinities with groups like the Qumran community.
6. Tensions between the Jakobusgemeinde and Paul: The narrative highlights the significant differences and tensions between James' community and Paul, particularly concerning the Gentile mission and adherence to the Law. While the Jakobusgemeinde approved Gentile missions (with qualifications), there were concerns, especially from some "believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees," about Paul allegedly persuading Jewish converts to abandon the Torah. Paul's collection from Gentile churches for Jerusalem was a source of anxiety for him, and the sources suggest it was possibly not welcomed or even received by the Jakobusgemeinde due to rising nationalist sentiment and differing perspectives on Gentile inclusion.
1. How is the role of James, the brother of Jesus, portrayed in the book of Acts compared to his significance elsewhere in early Christian tradition?
Acts focuses heavily on the ministries of Peter and Paul, often presenting them as central figures ("the greatest and most righteous pillars" of the church). James, despite being the recognized leader of the Jerusalem community (the Jakobusgemeinde), is presented in a surprisingly low-key manner in Acts. He "is never introduced or identified," simply appearing in the narrative as a figure whose authority is already presumed. This contrasts with his likely significant influence and authority within the early Jerusalem church, attested to in other early Christian sources and even within Paul's letters, which indicates a tension between Luke's focus on the emergent Gentile church and the enduring importance of James and the Torah-observant Jerusalem community. Luke seems to downplay James's role, perhaps because the Jakobusgemeinde's strong adherence to Jewish law and focus on the restoration of Israel did not fit neatly into Luke's narrative of the church's expansion to the Gentiles.