[soc.religion.christian] James and Luther

harry@atmos.washington.edu (Harry Edmon) (12/11/89)

Luther seemed to go hot and cold on the Epistle of James:

"Though this epistle of St. James was rejected by the ancients, I
praise it and consider it a good book, because it sets up no doctrines
of men but vigorously promulgates the law of God."

"In a word, he [the author] wanted to guard against those who relied
on faith without works, but was unequal to the task.  He tries to
accomplish by harping on the law what the apostles accomplish by
stimulating the people to love.  Therefore I cannot include him among
the chief books, though I would not thereby prevent anyone from
including or extolling him as he pleases, for there are otherwise many
good sayings in him."

(Taken from the introduction to James in the "Concordia Self-Study
Bible - NIV".)
--
Harry Edmon		INTERNET: harry@atmos.washington.edu
(206) 543-0547		UUCP:	  uw-beaver!atmos.washington.edu!harry
Dept of Atmospheric Sciences, AK-40
University of Washington