Mariam J. Kamell Phd Thesis

THE SOTERIOLOGY OF JAMES IN LIGHT OF EARLIER JEWISH WISDOM LITERATURE AND THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Mariam J. Kamell A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St. Andrews 2010 Full metadata for this item is available in the St Andrews Digital Research Repository at: https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/977 This item is protected by original copyright THE SOTERIOLOGY OF JAMES IN LIGHT OF EARLIER JEWISH WISDOM LITERATURE AND THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW By Mariam J. Kamell A Thesis Submitted in Completion of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Divinity April 2010 St Mary’s College University of St Andrew ii DECLARATION I, Mariam Kamell, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 88,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September 2005, and as a candidate for the degree of PhD in April 2006; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2005 and 2010. Date ……….……… Signature of candidate …………………………………… I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of PhD in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date ………………. Signature of supervisor …………………………………… In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews we understand that we are giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. We also understand that the title and the abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use unless exempt by award of an embargo as requested below, and that the library has the right to migrate my thesis into new electronic forms as required to ensure continued access to the thesis. We have obtained any third-party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration, or have requested the appropriate embargo below. The following is an agreed request by candidate and supervisor regarding the electronic publication of this thesis: Access to Printed copy and electronic publication of thesis through the University of St Andrews. Date………… Signature of candidate……………… Signature of supervisor………… iii iv ABSTRACT The epistle of James has been neglected in NT studies, caught between its relationship with Paul and the claim that it has no theology. Even as it experiences a resurgence of study, surprisingly no full-length survey exists on James as the epistle of “faith and works.” Approaches to James have neglected its soteriology and, in consequence, its theological themes have been separated or studied only in connection with Paul. As “moral character,” however, “faith” and “works” fit within a coherent theology of God’s mercy and judgment. This study provides a sustained reading of James as a Jewish-Christian document. Because James presents the “faith” and “works” discussion in context of “can such faith save?” (2:14), the issue becomes one of soteriology and final judgment. Both the “law of freedom” and the “word of truth” demand faithful obedience—the “works.” Moreover, God’s character and deeds in election form the basis for human “works” of mercy and humble obedience, while future judgment is in accordance with virtuous character. It has been established that James shares methodology and concerns with prior wisdom literature. This thesis therefore examines key ideas developing across the Jewish literature and Jesus’ teaching as presented by Matthew, and highlights developing views of God saving and judging his people. Within the first two chapters, James gives a high view of God’s work in calling and redeeming, providing wisdom to his people, and instilling the long-anticipated new covenant that they might live in obedience, humility and purity in accordance with his character and will. Because of God’s saving work, he justly judges those who fail to live mercifully, while his mercy triumphs for those who obey. God begins the work and sustains those who ask; but only those who submit to the “perfect law of freedom,” whose faith works, receive mercy when God enacts his final justice. v vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I will always be grateful to my academic mentors. Dr. Barnes, your words of encouragement after a difficult undergrad thesis experience have never left my ears. Dr. Neumann, you taught me that the languages were to be enjoyed and that the academic life is a privileged life. Dr. Blomberg, you opened doors and allowed me the experience of co- authorship, made introductions, and did everything you could to encourage me onward. Prof. Bauckham, you took me sight unseen, believed in my project, and even expressed curiosity to discover my results—the highest complement you could have paid. And Dr. Macaskill, taking a half-formed thesis in the middle of major restructuring and a student in the midst of a life-crisis was not an easy task, but you did it ungrudgingly. Other people in St Andrews made the last four years the experience it has been. St Mary’s friends: office-mates Ivan, Andrew, Phil, Paul, and Narges; prayer-group Gisela, Amber, and Julie; others walking life with me, Kathleen, Emily, Dimali. The St Mary’s ladies, Susan, Margot, and Debbie, for helping me with forms, deadlines, and stories— thank you! Colin and Linda, you made St Mary’s library a destination in itself. David and Katriona, you opened your home as a place both to work and retreat. Verena, I do not deserve as good a flatmate and friend as you have shown yourself to be the last two years: the laughter, tears, adventures and rapeseed field hijinks have made you a sister. And Nina and Vicki, you two have become so much more than co-workers becoming life-long friends of a rare sort. Stephanie, a friend longer than any, your faithfulness is a gift. I would never be here without the support of my entire family. Lisa, Andrew, and Sonya, I love you all and am the luckiest youngest sibling out there. Aunt RoseLee, you have patiently read and edited endless papers and chapters: every student should be lucky enough to have an English professor in the family! Any grammar mistakes remaining are entirely my own. Mom, you made this entire educational extravaganza possible. You have supported me financially, emotionally, and spiritually, you have set a beautiful example of marital fidelity and love despite the dominance of the “in sickness” part for 24 years, and you have always pushed me beyond my comfort zones and challenged any complacency on my part. I am at this point largely because you made it feasible and wouldn’t let me settle for giving less than my all. Ultimately, there is one person who is not here to see this, but who—from the time I was little—always believed I could do anything I set out to do. Without my father’s unconditional support for me, his unflinching endurance through years of illness and decline, his unflagging devotion to God, and even his encouragement to move overseas despite his lessening health, I would never have had either the courage or confidence to tackle this. Although it grieves me beyond words that he is not here to see the culmination of a lifetime’s support, I know he saw it in his mind and never doubted its fulfilment. I never imagined finishing this without his presence, and that makes this moment very bittersweet. My father was a model of faithfulness, love, and uncomplaining endurance that I will carry with me through all of life. Truly, Dad, you stood the test and won the crown of life from the Lord you loved, and this thesis is dedicated in your memory. vii viii DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER WILLIAM MICHAEL KAMELL 2 April 1945 – 16 October 2008 A Man of True Faith Maka&rioj a)nh_r o$j u(pome/nei peirasmo&n, o#ti do&kimoj geno&menoj lh&myetai to_n ste/fanon th~j zwh~j o$n e0phggei/lato toi=j a)gapw~sin au)to&n James 1:12 ix x TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . .1 A. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1 B. LITERATURE SURVEY 3 C. METHODOLOGY 8 1. Clearing the Ground 8 2. Comparative Genre 9 3. Comparative Texts 10 4. Comparative Terms 13 CHAPTER 1: WISDOM BACKGROUNDS . 17 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 17 A. PROVERBS 17 1. The Word and The Law 18 2. Faith and Works 21 3. Judgment and Mercy 26 B. SIRACH 29 1. The Word and The Law 30 2. Faith and Works 32 3. Judgment and Mercy 37 C. WISDOM OF SOLOMON 42 1. The Word and The Law 43 2. Faith and Works 45 3. Judgment and Mercy 48 D. 4QINSTRUCTION 52 1. The Word and The Law 53 2. Faith and Works 54 3. Judgment and Mercy 57 E. OTHER WISDOM: EPISTLE OF ENOCH, PSEUDO-PHOCYLIDES, 4 MACCABEES 60 1. The Word and The Law 62 2. Faith and Works 67 3. Judgment and Mercy 72 PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS 78 CHAPTER 2: THE SAYINGS OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW .

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