Understanding the Theme of James through Ecclesiastes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the theme of the Book of James through the Book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes tells of “wisdom from below” and at the same time indicates that in human life two different kinds of times run parallel with each other. When it comes to those times, humans do not realize how they are involved in everything they experience. In the Old Testament the reason God led us to live our life in such a way was to help us to long for eternity. The Book of James, as its fulfillment, speaks of “perfection.” And it takes “wisdom” to attain perfection. The perfection being said in James is one, not divided into two. In the Old Testament, through the “wisdom from below,” humans lived a life divided into two. In the New Testament, however, “wisdom from above” plays a role of uniting the divided hearts of double-minded people into one as the word of God is planted in their hearts. The Book of James contrasts perfection with double mindedness, signifying that living with a single mind is wisdom.