Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

Second, he indicates that both the twin-root (envy and selfish ambition)
and its twin fruit (chaotic disorder and vile practices) must be eliminated, and
replaced by their counterparts. The counterpart of envy and selfish ambition
is identified as humility before and submission to God (Jam. 5:6-7; see also
Phil. 2:3). The counterpart of disorder and vile practices is exemplified in a
harmonious and caring community that pours its energy in both individual
and corporate prayer (Jam. 4:2; 5:13-16), epitomized in Elijah (Jam. 4:17-18),
and is prepared to call a spade a spade whenever the need arises for the recovery
of a brother or sister (Jam. 5:19-20). Now on to the next Topical Focus
that provides the necessary backdrop for all this!
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Topical Focus # 14:
One-and-Many Spheres and Authority Structures
Before I continue with the exposition of the text, we would do well to recognize that at
this point James brings into view an underlying issue that returns in Scripture many
times and in many forms. In other words, it is an issue that has many applications in a
wide variety of comparable settings. A short delineation of it will pay off handsomely,
as we face the content of this section as well as the rest of James. It opens up an additional
part of the deep structure that governs also the Epistle of James. James simply
represents one application of this issue among many possibilities.
To be a member of human society is by definition to participate in both the various
“one-and-many spheres” and “authority structures” (For a detailed analysis of
these ABC's of societal life, see my Sovereignty and Responsibility, 91-94). The
“spheres” encompass not only the church, as in the present context, but also the State,
the family, as well as voluntary organizations or associations, such as schools, businesses,
clubs, etc. The “structures,” furthermore, comprise not merely the elder/teacher-member
relationship, which surfaces in James at this point, but also the
husband-wife, parent-child, government-subject, employer-employee, educatorstudent,
etc. relationships. This participation is not optional. The spheres and structures
are part of created reality. In fact, metaphysically they are a reflection of the being of
God. He is the Uncreated One and Many (the Trinity), and in him the Uncreated
Authority is vested (Father-Son relationship). As such both the created one-and-many
spheres and authority structures are inevitable. God cannot but put his imprint upon all
his creation, and he did so in an all-encompassing manner. Both “spheres” and “structures”
are ubiquitous! No one can escape them!
To prosper in both mankind will do well, first, to listen epistemologically to
God’s interpretation of them, and to his instruction pertaining to them (the Scriptures),
and, secondly, to emulate ethically the way God conducts himself in relation to them.
In the One-and-Many sphere it is characteristic for each Person of the Godhead to
deny himself. The Father surrenders his Son in self-denial. The Son complies in selfdenial.
In the Authority structure it is characteristic for the Persons of the Godhead