James

Why do you suppose Martin Luther called this letter “an epistle of straw”?

In James, we can see lots of verses that deals, not with faith alone, but with the faith whether bears fruits.
        James 2：14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
       James2：24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

It seems very contradictory with what were taught before:to believe and you will be justified and saved, for example
       Acts16:31 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.
       Romans 5:1 since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
That seems the reason why this letter is called "an epistle of straw".

But actually, James is metioning the other aspect of faith to supplement what has been less emphasized on in other books: faith in God alone doesn't save you---James2：19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder---but faith that change the sinful deeds will bring salvation. People only having faith are only religious people and people bearing fruits from faith are truly children of God.

That is what James want to say. It also goes with the message in the Gospel. In John
     John15:1-2  I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
     All the people that have faith in God are branches in Jesus, but only those, after being tested, that bearing fruits will bear the eternity. 






What is James’ attitude toward wealth/richer Christians?  How is James’ attitude to wealth connected with his concern with ethics?

James1:10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower
James2:5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?


Don;t show favorism to the rich and