I find this most interesting. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it your belief, John MacArthur, and the many other Christians you believe whose knowledge of the word of God have made an impression on you, are mere fallible men (or women) whose interpretation/ setting the tone of the Epistle of James could be in error?
So, I have to ask, how can you (or any Protestant for that matter) know that what you believe is true, when what you believe depends entirely on your, or someone else's, private, fallible interpretations of Scripture?
Unlike me, you don't "put your faith in any ecclesiastical structure?" Interesting statement for sure! The reason being is, for what you believe to be true, depends entirely on your, or someone else's, private, fallible interpretations of Scripture; yet, here I am, also a fallible human being, trusting my decisions on the Catholic Church with pretty much 100% certainty. Is that not a contradiction since we are both fallible human beings trusting in our individual decisions for what we believe? Why can't you use the same argument on me regarding my beliefs that I use on you regarding your beliefs? In other words, as you see it, your fallible interpretations of Scripture are essentially in the same category as my fallible "decisions" in trusting the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Again, nowhere in this do I see where it says...."He is writing to believers who have been undergoing intense persecution." Or, "They are weary." Or, "Not so much in body but in spirit." Could that be, because these words are nothing more than your own personal (and fallible) interpretation of James 5:14-16 which are subject to error?
I also seem to remember something you said back on post #971.
I would hope this still holds true.
Due to time constraints, I will gladly address the latter part of this post at a later time.
Have a Blessed Day!