Jesus Christ Research Paper

Jesus Christ, the son of Mary and Joseph, was quite an important and influential figure in the New Testament. From his birth to his death Jesus' life was and still is well known throughout the world, bringing salvation and restoration for all those who believe in him. His life consisted of miracles, from his virgin birth to his death and later resurrection which after he ascends into heaven. Jesus' life was incredible and has changed history, but what would this have meant for his earthly siblings, those who were fully and only human, not both man and God? Would they have come to believe in their divine brother and follow his teachings? James the Just, a brother of Jesus, is an example of Jesus' work in the lives of those around him. Though

not so supernatural qualities, there have been quite a few different theories regarding James' relation to Jesus Christ. Many scholars have fought over whether James was a step brother, full brother, cousin, or even to the extent “spiritual brother” of Jesus. Though being that there is a lack of knowledge pertaining to the biological relations of James and Jesus, many of these hypotheses can be ruled out due to the culture of the time. Tradition holds the view that the brothers of Jesus were full brothers, born of Mary and Joseph. As marriage was a highly respected duty for the Jews and children were viewed as special proof of God's divine favor upon the Israelites, Joseph and Mary would have kept to this tradition1. The likelihood that they both remained virgins and had no children of there own is highly

Being that the Scriptures were the only textbook in his day, Jewish boys were to memorize the Law in whole. Consequently, once he reached thirteen or twelve it is quite possible that, as the Jews centuries later kept in tradition to do, James would be then considered as a “son of the commandments” and bound to observe the entirety of the Law5. His education in the Law would then conclude and he would shift onto the next pathway of the common Jewish man's life, working a trade. Assumably James would have worked as a carpenter, such as his father Joseph and brother Jesus until his role in the church possibly took