35—Forty Days with James: The Truth about Falling Away

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.James 5:19-20Why does the letter end this way? It is likely people were leaving the fellowship—not persevering, or perhaps discouraged because of prejudice.Wandering "from the truth" us about lifestyle more than doctrinal confusion.A correction about "falling away" and "restoration."Unfortunate terminologyFalling away: Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26; 2 Pet 2:20-22Stumbling: Matt 13:21; 26:31; John 16:1; etc.RestorationGal 6:1-2; 2 Cor 13:9; 1 Pet 5:10This is for insiders, active members of the body, not those who have left.Ps 23:3—Don't we all need "restoring," refreshment, from time to time?ImplicationsLet's avoid unbiblical language, esp. when terms reinforce false understandings of God and his Word.Don’t speak of former members as fallaways. Rather, how about "walkaways" or "wanderers"?There is no comeback from falling away. But only God knows with total certainty the point of no return. See also Prov 29:1.Yes, in a sense those who have quit need some form of “restoration,” yet this isn’t biblical language and is also likely to reinforce the false notion that there can be only one institutional group on earth faithfully following the Lord.Sins covered over, or forgiveness? The latter is more likely.If the thoughts on falling away and restoration are new to you, I can assure you they are actually ancient!It’s hard to fight against tradition, and traditional language. But let's strive to do so all the same.Next: James in the ISV