Theorizing Divine Generation: Reading James 1:16–18 with the Middle Platonists

Abstract James 1:16–18 presents a theory of divine generation, which has been interpreted variously. Most commonly, this passage is taken as a reference to Christian conversion, God’s creation of the cosmos, or the creation/election of Israel. While each of these readings is possible, none accounts for all the evidence. By contrast, placing James’s theory of divine generation into conversation with Middle Platonists on the same topic yields some fruitful parallels, both in its theory and significance. This comparison suggests that interpreting James 1:16–18 should produce a synthesis of previous interpretation. James here emphasizes God’s on-going procreative act as the generation of new, divinely-originated creatures of virtue, oriented towards obedience of God’s law.