Book Reviewed: Paul vs. James: What We've Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate, by Chris Bruno

A brief story of the early Christian church

James, the brother of Jesus connected with him closely and as a typical Essene, he was zealous for the Jewish laws. However, Paul departed from the Jewish laws to introduce faith as the most fundamental part Christ’s message. James strongly resisted Paul’s law-free version of the gospel, but the relationship between James and Paul was important for early Christianity; it epitomized the need to preserve the movement’s Jewish roots as its membership became predominantly non-Jewish. Though it created tensions, the connection of James with Jerusalem was important for Paul; his letters reflect both his theological departure from James and James’ authority on Jerusalem community. It also undermined James’ firsthand encounters with Jesus. But Paul’s strong personal experience of the risen Christ shaped his theology and identity as an apostle to the Gentiles.

The Pseudo-Clementine writings of the late fourth century illustrate the tensions between James and Paul. These writings are based on sources and traditions derived from Christian Jews from Jerusalem who fled to Pella around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. These writings portray Paul as the enemy of James and Christian Judaism. Historically, however, the evidence suggests that though the relationship involved tensions, the two were not enemies. In fact, this is the message of the author of this book

In the last chapter titled, Life and Works in Real Life, the author addresses controversial issues like same-sex marriage. He concludes that we need to apply whole of Bible’s teachings on faith and works. Because the scripture is clear that faith alone justifies. If that is the case, then gay-life styles, same-sex marriage and transsexualism is a sin as Sodom and Gomorrah. The author’s approach is understandable as a preacher, but one must separate belief and reality.

Jesus Seminar, a scholarly group that re-created early gospels found that the historical Jesus was a Jewish revolutionary and a faith-healer who preached a gospel of liberation. Jesus broke with established Jewish theological dogmas and social conventions in both his teachings and his behavior, often by turning common-sense ideas upside down, confounding the expectations of his audience. The Seminar also concluded that the sightings of a risen Jesus was a visionary experience rather than a physical encounter. The belief systems are man-made and strict adherence to gospels are unscientific and unrealistic.