So Much for Straw || A Blog about the Epistle of James

David Edgar, Has God not Chose the Poor? The Social Setting of the Epistle of James, Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 206 (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001).

In this revision of his dissertation at the University of Dublin, Edgar applies rhetorical analysis to the Epistle of James, relying heavily on Wuellner, Theissen, and Bruce Malina.

Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the self-perception of the author and his depiction of his audience, with particular focus on the community’s treatment of the poor.  The poor, in Edgards view, are probably the “wandering radicals” of the early Jesus movement first envisioned by Theissen.  Rather than supporting the poor radicals, the young church instead is interesting in courting wealthy benefactors for its own personal gain.

Based on the assertion that the poor are early itinerants, Edgar suggests a date of authorship prior to the Jewish revolt in 66, but after 62, since, based on the letter’s excellent Greek, the work must be pseudonymous.

While the application of Theissen’s notions to the letter of James is interesting, it seems a bit to narrow as an exhaustive category.  In particular, it disregards in emphasis on the orphans and the widows in 1:27.  However, it is entirely possible that these wandering radicals are one of the marginalized groups with which James is concerned, but not the only group.

In chapters 4–6 Edgar applies rhetorical analysis to the text of James in a commentary-like fashion, making observations along the way.  While Edgar’s work blazes few new trails, his research is thorough and the application of rhetorical analysis to James deserves a look from anyone studying the letter.