Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

ecause of the moral character and conduct that emerged in the course of the
test. This is what James allegedly records. Abraham was recognized as righteous
(practically godly) by what took place in Genesis 22, and therefore
“considered righteous by God. At the same time the declarative aspect appears
not to be totally absent either, since the notion of justification is allegedly
used in the “standard meaning of this term” as both acknowledged and
consequently pronounced to be righteous (PDavids, 67). All this made me
speak in terms of a semi-demonstrative and semi-declarative use of the term.
Incidentally, the translation “considered righteous” is also said to “differentiate
James’ terminology from that of Paul.” While “James uses the standard
meaning of the term ... Paul uses the same language in a unique way.” “This
difference in meaning” is then introduced as “another indication that James
has had no contact with Paul’s work” (PDavids, 67).
After this survey of the various interpretations, it is time for assessment
and evaluation. I proceed to do so in reverse order in which they were presented.
a. First, then the “evaluative” use, “Abraham was considered righteous
by his deeds.” This “value assigning” meaning is undoubtedly intriguing.
However, it does not seem to leave James with an open and shut case for his
central thesis that faith without works is dead. To be considered, deemed,
viewed, regarded as righteous does not seem to do it. It functions as a subjective
judgment. In the abstract one could even be considered righteous without
being righteous. No, James 2:21 seems to have a much more potent, in fact,
an undeniably objective and certain reality in mind. Abraham was “justified
by works.” Period! As such he was the authoritative model for all believers.
Further, the fact that according to James 2:23 the course of events mentioned
in James 2:21 is a “fulfillment” of the content of Genesis 15:5 makes this option
less than likely as well. After all, as has been observed already, Genesis
15:5 with its imputation motive provides the foundation for a judicial declaration,
and it is this imputation statement that is “fulfilled.” Finally, if “justified”
in this context stands for “considered righteous,” it would be something
unique both to the NT and James. All claims that he carries the torch for “the
standard meaning” to the contrary, there appears to be no parallel for such use
of “justified” anywhere in biblical literature, nor in non-biblical literature for
that matter. In short, if the translation “considered righteous” is the correct
one, it would not be James who follows the standard meaning and Paul who
would be unique, but vice versa it would be James who would be an exception,
and Paul who represents the rule. This makes the “value assigning”
meaning even more unlikely. Basically it is an unclear concept in this context.
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