Chunks: The Letter of James

Episode 71: Snake oil

Why is it evil to speak of our plans in boastful ways? James teaches that it's arrogant. Here, it's important to recognize what he means by "boasting," for the word suggests the grand claims associated with the charlatans who peddle "snake oil."

Episode 72: The haves, the have-nots, and the have-yachts

The world isn't just divided up into the haves and the have-nots; there are also those who are very rich, which one wit has called the "have-yachts." The distinction is helpful in understanding some of the social problems in the church which James targeted with his teaching.

Episode 73: Wake up!

At the beginning of chapter 5, James again uses strong language to wake up the rich--the "have-yachts"--to the evil they have done against the poor. James 5:1-6 sounds like it could have come from one of the Old Testament prophets! And in this passage, he accuses the rich of murder...

Episode 74: The final chapter

One hopes that the final chapter of any story will bring the tale to a satisfying conclusion. So it is with God's story. And part of what James wants the rich to understand in James 5:3 is that the final chapter of God's story has already begun, and judgment is coming...

Episode 75: Where your heart is

James 5:2-3 uses colorful language to describe how all the trappings of wealth that the rich take for granted have rotted and rusted. In this episode, we explore how James' teaching echoes the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6 and Luke 12.

Episode 76: Be patient

I sometimes struggle with patience, and I imagine you do too. James 5:7-8 counsels that we should be patient as we wait for Jesus to return. But does he mean the same thing by "patience" as we do?

Episode 77: Harvest time

In teaching patience, James 5:7-8 uses the metaphor of a farmer waiting for rain and for a good crop. Can we apply this metaphor to our own need to endure suffering?

Episode 78: Are we there yet?

Anyone who's ever done a road trip with kids knows the question. We look forward to arriving at our destination, a little impatiently. James 5:8 tells us to strengthen our hearts as we anticipate the return of Jesus. But can we understand this in a way that helps us be more patient with the journey itself?

Episode 79: Groaning and moaning

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul gives us the picture of all creation groaning like a woman in labor, waiting for birth of new life. James 5:9 uses the same language to describe the poor who are suffering oppression. But there also seems to be a social dimension to the groaning: even if the complaints of the poor are justified, are the complaints dividing the church?

Episode 80: The ”patience” of Job?

Throughout his letter, James has written about patient endurance in the face of suffering. In James 5:10-11, he uses the example of Job. But just how "patient" was Job?