Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

polemics in the area of “want” will lead to unnecessary wars. Church history
is replete with hostilities about non-saving issues. As I mentioned already,
Paul calls these hostilities “striving about words” that “subvert the hearers” (2
Tim. 2:14) and “profane and vain babblings” that “increase ungodliness” (2
Tim. 2:16). This is not to nip discussions and debates in the bud. These
should by all means continue. But it is to emphasize that the crusader-type of
polemics ought to be shunned.
Naturally, when there is disagreement in points of truth or godliness,
which would gut either one of them and negatively affect “eternity,” polemics
is not an option, but a “need,” a life-preserving necessity! At any rate, James
lays out the following concatenation: meekness of wisdom, making short
shrift of self-serving “pleasures,” peacemaking, peace, and an abundant harvest
of practical godliness. This sets the stage for James’ further elaboration
on the causes for war as well as the antidote.
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