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plt said:
Hello everyone!
I am still deeply involved in my studies of the various Christian beliefs and am wondering what the Calvinist view(s) of James, the brother or relative of Jesus is? I know that Martin Luther did not agree with his book and was very bothered by it, however, I am reading several sources (yes, Eisenman is one of them) that seem to be saying that 1. James was Jesus' blood brother (younger). 2. That the early church was in his care before Peter (suggesting that he was actually the 1st pope) and 3. That he and Paul were very conflicted over the early developing church with regards to applying the Mosaic law to Gentiles and works vs. faith. How does your faith interpret James and his place in Christianity?

Thank you in advance for taking time with me! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bow.gif" alt="" />

I don't claim to know a lot about this, so I'm sure others on this board can give you much better answers. However, as a Calvinist, I will answer with what I believe a Calvinist would say.

1. I think that the consensus is that James is Jesus's younger half-brother.

2. I am not sure whether the early church could be said to be specifically in James's care or Peter's care. However, most Calvinists would dispute that either was the first pope. I do not think a Calvinist would say that the "Pope" is a biblically defensible position.

3. A Calvinist would not believe that James and Paul are at all in conflict, but that their writings complement each other (beautifully). If you believe they are in conflict, then that means you are misinterpreting one or both of them.

John