M.A. / The script focuses on the theology of the Synoptics, the meaning of the kingdom as it is dealt with by the writers of the Synoptic Gospels, and the demand for faith in the kingdom within the Synoptics. It gives the theology of the Synoptics. The existence of God and his work of creation are accepted without question just as it is in the Old Testament. God is seen as the provider of the whole universe, and He is its Monarch. He is the God who reveals himself to his creation, especially man (anthropos). He seeks to have an intimate relationship with man which is possible through his Son Jesus Christ. Man is invited to this relationship with the purpose of becoming God's child. Those who refuse this relationship do so at their own will with the understanding of the consequences thereafter. The Synoptics teach about the kingdom of God which he has brought to mankind through his Son Jesus. It is a kingdom of righteousness which is entered in by those who choose to meet the conditions laid by the King of the kingdom, namely God. These conditions are as follows: repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, humility, eager desire for righteousness, and peace making. The salvation that God gives is available to all. It introduces the kingdom of God to the individual who accepts it. Salvation is the reign of God to those who put their faith in Jesus. In the teaching of the Synoptics, it is not possible, from outside appearance of human beings, to see who is God's child and that of Satan. Judgement is left in the hands of God, the Supreme Judge. The existence of Satan and demons is accepted without question. Though Satan and demons are in the world, man is free to make his own decision independently, and is accountable to God. The kingdom of God is the reign of God both in the present age and in the age to come. The kingdom of God was promised in the Old Testament to Israel, was fulfilled in the New Testament by the coming of Jesus Christ on earth, and will be consummated at the end of this age. The kingdom of God is revealed to people through the ministry of Jesus which includes; healing, demon exorcism, raising the dead, forgiveness of sins, and the righteous lives of those who have been saved from their sins. The kingdom of God is a moral and ethical kingdom. For the kingdom of God to be experienced, one has to have faith in Jesus and the good news he brought. Faith is also necessary for one to continue in the kingdom. Faith result in a humble life and dependency of the one who brought the kingdom.

German text / In dieser Studie wird der Frage nachgegangen, ob der Jakobusbrief den Weg zum vollkommenen Glauben zeigt. Dazu wird zunächst die Berechtigung einer solchen Fragestellung anhand der neueren Forschung aufgezeigt. Dann werden in knapper Form allgemeine Fragen zum Jakobusbrief behandelt, bevor die beiden Zentralbegriffe dieser Studie untersucht werden: Glaube und vollkommen. Um eine inhaltliche Definition dieser Begriffe im Jakobusbrief geben zu können, wird zunächst dargelegt, welche sprachlichen bzw. inhaltlichen Kontexte in der damaligen Zeit gegeben waren und den Schreiber des Jakobusbriefes beeinflusst haben könnten. Die so gewonnenen Ergebnisse fließen sodann in die Untersuchung von Jakobus 2 ein. Dabei werden unter Berücksichtigung des rhetorischen Aufbaus, der sprachlichen Besonderheiten und der kulturellen Gegebenheiten die Verse Jakobus 2:1-13 und 2:14-26 untersucht. Hierbei ist das Beispiel von Abrahams Glauben in Jakobus 2:22 von besonderer Bedeutung. Abschließend wird eine Antwort auf die eingangs aufgeworfene Frage gegeben. / This thesis examines whether and in what way the Epistle of James shows the way to perfect faith. A detailed survey of research indicates that this is an important and relevant question that has, as yet, not been adequately examined. General questions about the Epistle of James are addressed before a detailed analysis of the central terminology of this study, the language of faith and of perfection. Assessment of this terminology requires an understanding of which linguistic and other contexts were prevalent at the time of writing and how these may have influenced the author. The results of these analyses are included in a detailed exegesis of James 2:1-26 (which constitutes the main part of the thesis). Close attention is paid to the rhetorical structure, the linguistic features and the cultural background of the passage. This thesis argues that the example of Abraham’s faith in James 2:22 is of special significance in the argumentation of the letter and in the quest for perfect faith. The conclusion confirms the notion that the Letter of James makes a crucial contribution to our understanding of faith and its perfection. This thesis also draws out certain implications for New Testament theology, the contemporary church and society at large. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

German text / In dieser Studie wird der Frage nachgegangen, ob der Jakobusbrief den Weg zum vollkommenen Glauben zeigt. Dazu wird zunächst die Berechtigung einer solchen Fragestellung anhand der neueren Forschung aufgezeigt. Dann werden in knapper Form allgemeine Fragen zum Jakobusbrief behandelt, bevor die beiden Zentralbegriffe dieser Studie untersucht werden: Glaube und vollkommen. Um eine inhaltliche Definition dieser Begriffe im Jakobusbrief geben zu können, wird zunächst dargelegt, welche sprachlichen bzw. inhaltlichen Kontexte in der damaligen Zeit gegeben waren und den Schreiber des Jakobusbriefes beeinflusst haben könnten. Die so gewonnenen Ergebnisse fließen sodann in die Untersuchung von Jakobus 2 ein. Dabei werden unter Berücksichtigung des rhetorischen Aufbaus, der sprachlichen Besonderheiten und der kulturellen Gegebenheiten die Verse Jakobus 2:1-13 und 2:14-26 untersucht. Hierbei ist das Beispiel von Abrahams Glauben in Jakobus 2:22 von besonderer Bedeutung. Abschließend wird eine Antwort auf die eingangs aufgeworfene Frage gegeben. / This thesis examines whether and in what way the Epistle of James shows the way to perfect faith. A detailed survey of research indicates that this is an important and relevant question that has, as yet, not been adequately examined. General questions about the Epistle of James are addressed before a detailed analysis of the central terminology of this study, the language of faith and of perfection. Assessment of this terminology requires an understanding of which linguistic and other contexts were prevalent at the time of writing and how these may have influenced the author. The results of these analyses are included in a detailed exegesis of James 2:1-26 (which constitutes the main part of the thesis). Close attention is paid to the rhetorical structure, the linguistic features and the cultural background of the passage. This thesis argues that the example of Abraham’s faith in James 2:22 is of special significance in the argumentation of the letter and in the quest for perfect faith. The conclusion confirms the notion that the Letter of James makes a crucial contribution to our understanding of faith and its perfection. This thesis also draws out certain implications for New Testament theology, the contemporary church and society at large. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)