Problematising Dependency: Soteriology and Vocabulary in James and Paul

Abstract

Despite attempts to break the ‘Pauline fixation’ in Jamesian studies, scholarship continues to read James’ language of ‘faith’ and ‘works’ in relation to Paul. This article attempts to trace James’ language and soteriology back not to Paul, but to certain strands of thought within Second Temple Judaism. This problematises the view that James can only be understood by means of dependancy on Pauline categories. It also avoids falling prey to ecclesial biases that try to harmonise Paul and the Letter of James without due respect for each author’s differing soteriological emphases.