James 5:19-20

Cover-Up (2009) (9" x 12")

collage on paper

The subject in James' final words is the serious, and controversial, topic of apostasy. The most straightforward reading of this passage leads to the inescapable conclusion that it is possible for one of our Christian brothers or sisters to wander so far from the truth of the Gospel that the consequence is spiritual death (although a minority of commentators feel that only physical death is being referred to here).  However, it is still possible for that person to be turned back to the truth, and it is our duty to try to help.