Old in the New

kick.against.the.goads on "Creation Symbolism in James"

ThomasW at kick.against.the.goads has a lengthy blog entry on James' use of "creation symbolism." One part I found intersting was his take "Father of lights" (1:17):

The phrase, "Father of lights," however, is dificult. If James has only the creation account in mind, it is an odd way to speak of God's relationship with the luminaries of heaven. "Creator," "Lord," or "Prince" of lights would be more expected. The use of "Father" thus points not only to the Creator but to the Redeemer, and suggests that the "lights" in view are the Lord's sons and daughters. The thought becomes clearer when we recall that the heavenly lights are often symbols of God's redeemed people (Gen. 26:4; Dan. 12:3). Specifically, the heavenly lamps signify God's people as a royal race. James's thought, then, is this: God does not tempt because He is not a God who gives birth to sin and death; instead, He is Father to a righteous, royal race that shines like the lights of heaven. His children are not death and sin, but lights.

The observation that light = man is interesting. Peter Davids notes that Amphoux suggests the same thing, but he dismisses it given the astronomical language that James picks up to describe the unchanging nature of the "Father of lights" (NIGTC, 87).

Take a look at the whole post. It is good to see someone rescuing James from a-theological oblivion. See also A.K.M.Adam's recent comments on 1:17. This also reminds me that I wrote a paper on 1:18 and James' creation theology. I'll have to dig it out, neaten it up and post it some day.

Labels: Epistle_of_James

posted by jdarlack @ 13.7.06