09/13/2025
The assassination of Charlie Kirk provides Christians with an opportunity to reflect on the wisdom given to persecuted Christians by the Apostle James.
Having been exiled, driven out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19; James 1:1), and subject to the fanatical, violent rage of unbelieving Jewish leaders (Acts 7:57, 58; 9:1-2), Christians found themselves in a horrible predicament. Everything was topsy-turvy. The authorities whom they formerly trusted had become their enemies. The envy and resulting violence had escalated since the time of Jesus death and resurrection. To understand James’s letter, we have to put ourselves in their shoes and appreciate how disorienting all this was to these new Jewish believers.
To these frustrated Christians James does not say something like, "You are not called to change the world. That’s never going to happen. Concern yourself with 'spiritual' things.” He does not say: “Be content to proclaim the message of individual salvation and the promise of heaven. Don’t worry about social and political issues.” Rather, he tells the distressed Christian community, especially the brotherhood of leaders, about how they should go about being Jesus’ agents of change and chiefly warns them against the dangerous temptations that dog people that want to change the world. James counsels patience and “maturity” (1:4; 3:13-18) in the face of their childish, petulant anger and violent aggression (1:20; 4:1-4).
Heated speeches (3:1-12) and acts of violence motivated by anger (1:20; 4:1-3) will not produce the righteous kingdom that Jesus has promised. And neither will another tactic these believers were prone to—sucking up to their oppressors with the hope of appeasing them. That also is a perilous temptation motivated by anger at their perceived impotence compared to the riches and power of their enemies (2:1-13).
What stands out in this letter is the passionate anger of these persecuted Christians, an anger that has led to supremely foolish talk and action. They are being “lured” by their unrestrained “desire” to sinful exploits that “brings forth death” (1:14). They are full of “rampant malice” (1:21). Their actions reveal that they have become “judges with evil thoughts” (2:4). The public talk of their leaders encourages exasperated members of the body to “curse people” (3:1-9). They are harboring “hateful zeal and political ambition in their hearts” (3:14). Their fervent desire for justice is leading to “wars among their members” (4:1). What they “covet” drives them to “fight and engage in violent aggression” (4:2), and such behavior is motivated by their unrestrained “passions” (4:3). In short, they have become Christian zealots. They are “proud” and therefore “double-minded” (1:8; 4:8; 1:8). They even “boast” about the “business” of violent resistance in which they are engaged (4:16).
James has wise counsel for his fellow Christian dissidents. Drawing on the teaching of Jesus, especially in Matthew’s Gospel, and centered on the Sermon on the Mount, James counsels “patience” in the experience of these severe trails, a “steadfastness under trial” that leads to “maturity” (1:2-4) as well as the royal “crown” that Jesus promised to his disciples (1:12). He commends to them the “mature instruction, the instruction that brings freedom” (2:25). They should not follow the worldly “religion” of their persecutors, but practice “pure and undefiled” piety, especially as it manifests itself in caring for the marginalized and needy, “the afflicted orphans and widows” (1:26-27). This is the “royal law, according to the Scripture” to love and show mercy (2:8-13). Genuine faith will always behave this way. It is not their fiery speeches and talk of the strength of their faith that evidences true trust, but how their actions manifest obedience (2:14-18). The vindication they long for will be theirs if they have a living, active faith that accepts the sacrifices that need to be made and works to help and protect those in danger from their enemies (2:18-26).
The brothers who are leading the community need to “tame” their tongues and stop encouraging “cursing” (3:9, 10) and the ensuing “unspiritual, demonic” behavior it necessarily encourages (3:15). The “harvest of justice” and “the peace” they so long for comes when disciples of Jesus “make peace” (3:1-18). Resist the devil’s temptation to stimulate the growth of the kingdom by force and responding in kind to the apostate Jewish oppressors. Stop boasting about these insurgent forays against the enemies of the church. You are not called to be Christian “zealots” and to engage in aggressive violent behavior (4:1-12). Do the right thing (4:13-17). Be patient and trust in the prophecies of our Lord, knowing that the theocratically rich Jewish rulers, who trust in the gold and silver of the temple and their glorious priestly garments, will be judged in due time (1:9-11; 5:1-9).
Remember, “the Lord of Hosts” will not long endure those who have selfishly lived “gloriously on the land” and have refused to honor the apostolic harvesters that Jesus has sent into the fields as his servants (5:3-5; cf. Matt. 9:37-38, 13:30). Your oppressors have not repented of murdering “the righteous one” that did not resist them (5:1-6). Just like in the days of the prophets, know that the righteous Lord is at hand and he will judge his enemies. Be patient and stop swearing oaths that bind you to unrighteous, conspiratorial retaliation (5:7-12).
Instead, take care of your wounded and sick, forgive those who have allowed their passions to get the better of themselves, and above all, like Elijah of old, pray for deliverance and heavenly rain to bring about the harvest you desire (5:13-16). Finally, do your best, brothers, to heed my advice in this letter and turn back those who have sinned in these matters (5:19-20).
That is my summary of the book of James. As the title of my commentary suggests, the letter contains ancient wisdom for today's Christian dissidents.
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