Pray for reign : the eschatological Elijah in James 5:17-18

James Marion Darlack

Etd

Pray for reign : the eschatological Elijah in James 5:17-18

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

James Marion Darlack. Pray for Reign : the Eschatological Elijah In James 5:17-18. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/c54c3f74-8e93-46e0-8d36-1b57d1a59645?locale=en.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. M. Darlack. Pray for reign : the eschatological Elijah in James 5:17-18. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/c54c3f74-8e93-46e0-8d36-1b57d1a59645?locale=en

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

James Marion Darlack. Pray for Reign : the Eschatological Elijah In James 5:17-18. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/c54c3f74-8e93-46e0-8d36-1b57d1a59645?locale=en.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

James Marion Darlack

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Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 4.0 International

Abstract

James uses the prophet Elijah as an example of righteous prayer. This thesis explores the possibility that James may have intended his readers to recognize both historical and eschatological imagery associated with the biblical prophet. First, it shows that in early Jewish literature the eschatological and historical Elijah traditions were not held in isolation of each other. Imagery from descriptions of Elijah’s eschatological return is used to describe the pre-ascension ministry of the prophet, while the eschatological mission of the prophet is described using elements of the historical narrative. Second, the thesis demonstrates that James’ prescript “to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion,” sets a tone of inaugurated and yet-to-be-consumated eschatology, and that the mention of Elijah helps form an eschatological inclusio that frames the letter. Third, the New Testament use use of Elijah’s drought outside of James is explored showing again that elements from the Elijah’s drought in 1 Kings were used in eschatological contexts, and that Elijah’s three and a half year drought, as mentioned by James, is used to illustrate a period of judgment for the sake of effecting repentance in these contexts. Fourth and finally, the images of rain and drought are viewed through an eschatological lens, revealing their role as covenant blessing and curse, and eschatological judgment and restoration. It is concluded that James’ readers could have recognized the eschatological implications of using Elijah as an example of faithful, righteous prayer, and that James assigns his readers a role similar to that of the eschatological prophet. They are called to endure in the midst of eschatological trials and to effect repentance before the arrival of the soon-coming King.

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