For centuries, James 2 has been read as teaching two kinds of faith—“true” vs. “demonic.” This essay shows how that split stems from Augustine’s Latin Bible and the Donatist fight, not James. Restore the dialogue cues, and the passage calls believers to live their shared faith, not classify it.
Interpreting Scripture can feel like wandering in the wilderness—every verse pulling a different way. The Context Compass (C12) offers bearings: twelve “directions” of context that orient us to author, history, genre, and theology. Not a rigid map, but a compass—guiding readers toward clarity without losing the text’s voice.
Did Paul swear in the Bible? He wasn’t afraid of sharp language. He called his old life “skúbalon” (excrement), mocked false teachers with grotesque wordplay, and even echoed ethnic slurs to dismantle them. Like Jesus, he used shocking words to protect truth, expose hypocrisy, and defend God’s people.
