<P> Some view the epistle as having no overarching outline: "James may have simply grouped together small' thematic essays' without having more linear, Greco - Roman structures in mind ." That view is generally supported by those who believe that the epistle may not be a true piece of correspondence between specific parties but an example of wisdom literature, formulated as a letter for circulation . The Catholic Encyclopedia says, "the subjects treated of in the Epistle are many and various; moreover, St. James not infrequently, whilst elucidating a certain point, passes abruptly to another, and presently resumes once more his former argument ." </P> <P> Others view the letter as having only broad topical or thematic structure . They generally organize James under three (Ralph Martin) to seven (Luke Johnson) general key themes or segments . </P> <P> A third group believes that James was more purposeful in structuring his letter, linking each paragraph theologically and thematically: </P> <P> James, like the gospel writers, can be seen as a purposeful theologian, carefully weaving his smaller units together into larger fabrics of thought and using his overall structure to prioritize his key themes . </P>

When was the book of james in the bible written