Testament world, of what is usually called the Dispersion (Diaspora); or (2) Jewish Christians scattered abroad for various reasons?5 Read at least part of chapter and see why the rst view (Jews in general) is unacceptable Symbolic interpretation These scattered “twelve tribes” represent the Christian church, God’s elect (cf Gal 3:7-9; 6:16; Phil 3:3), living in strange country (this world), far from their land of citizenship (heaven) (Cf Gal 4:26; Phil 3:20; Heb 12:22; 13:14; Pet 1:1, 17; 2:11.) The contents of the epistle itself strongly support the view that James’s readers were Jewish Christians, wherever they were located This would be expected, if the epistle was written at a very early date (see Date below), for most Christians in the earliest days were Jews (cf Acts 1-7) Indications in the epistle itself that James’s readers were Jews include these (read the verses): the reference to “synagogue” (“assembly,” KJV), not “church” (2:2)6 illustrations from the Old Testament (e.g., 2:25; 5:11, 17) the reference to Abraham as “our father” (2:21) the Old Testament name “Lord of Sabaoth” (5:4) no mention of what might be called “pagan” vices, such as idolatry and drunkenness C DATE AND PLACE WRITTEN The position of this survey guide is that James was the earliest (or one of the earliest) New Testament book to be written (See Chart 1, p 20) The date of writing was around A.D 45-50 Associate the writing of James with the times of the book of Acts, with the help of Chart 106 CHART 106: THE WRITING OF JAMES IN RELATION TO ACTS The view of a later date places the writing of James around A.D 60, a year or so before James’s death.7 Reasons for the early date include: Church order and discipline in the epistle are very simple The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 (A.D 48 or 49) was still future: “The question of the admission of the Gentiles (into the church which in the earliest years was Jewish) seems not yet to have come to the fore.”8 The Judaic emphases on law, moral ... Associate the writing of James with the times of the book of Acts, with the help of Chart 106 CHART 106: THE WRITING OF JAMES IN RELATION TO ACTS The view of a later date places the writing of James... DATE AND PLACE WRITTEN The position of this survey guide is that James was the earliest (or one of the earliest) New Testament book to be written (See Chart 1, p 20) The date of writing was around... for the early date include: Church order and discipline in the epistle are very simple The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 (A.D 48 or 49) was still future: ? ?The question of the admission of the