BIB543: The Book of James

This widely misunderstood epistle was written by James to the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Pseudo-scholastic revisionism surrounds James, damaging the faith of those who lack depth of background or sound Scriptural grounding.

Raised as the half-brother of the Messiah Himself, James ultimately emerges as the leader of the church in Jerusalem, presiding over the pivotal council in Acts 15. The execution of the popular James (known as “old camel knees” due to his habit of prayer) may have been a key event in the circumstances that led up to the rebellion and its subsequent squelching by the Romans in 66-70 A.D.

It bears a closer comparison to the Sermon on the Mount than any other New Testament letter, with more imperatives than any other New Testament book. The ostensible differences with Paul’s epistles are essential to understand: Paul focused on our justification before God; James focuses on the believer’s justification before men. Faith is not “believing in spite of the evidence”; faith is “obeying in spite of the consequences.”

Prerequisites:

  • BIB 501-1 Survey of the Old Testament
  • BIB 501-2 Survey of the New Testament

(2 credits)

Length of Class

This class is scheduled for 8 weeks. Login and click “Course Schedule” for start times.

Required Materials

Audio/Video Materials – select from ONE of the following:

Current Members

Log in to the Campus to enroll in this class. Each class has its own schedule and may or may not be currently available. This class usually starts twice a month.

Non-Members

Purchase a Koinonia Institute Membership to start this class. Each class has its own schedule and may or may not be currently available. This class usually starts twice a month.

Koinonia Institute Online offers these benefits not found in Self Study:

  • Community Learning Environment – Interact with other students studying the same material to help you learn.
  • Unit Quizzes – Take online quizzes to keep your studying on track and measure your learning.
  • Paced Learning – Online classes are paced to fit into your busy schedule and provide a focused, guided Bible study.
  • Discussion Boards – Ability to discuss studies with students and facilitators.

The weekly format of an online class is:

  1. Watch or listen to the weekly assignment from your materials (typically one hour).
  2. Go to the class forum and answer two discussion questions and then reply to at least one of your classmates’ responses.
  3. Take the quiz online. (Multiple Choice, True/False, Matching etc.)
  4. The class will end with a final exam - usually around 100 questions.
  5. Each class varies in length – 4 weeks up to 24 weeks.