C.E. ascribed to Isaiah material from the latter part, as well as the early part, of the book bearing his name. (Isa. 42:1-4; 53:1; Matt. 12:17-21; Rom. 10:16) They thus attributed the entire prophecy to the one writer, Isaiah.

Regardless of what date critics may try to assign to parts of Isaiah, they cannot deny that it contains prophecies that were fulfilled long after they had been committed to writing. There is, for example, the prophecy stating that Babylon would become as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah, a place never to be inhabited and where not even shepherds would graze their flocks. (Isa. 13:19, 20) At the time that the Dead Sea Scroll was being copied from an earlier manuscript, Babylon still existed, and apart from Bible prophecy, there was no indication that the city would become a desolate wilderness. But today the crumbling ruins of ancient Babylon testify to the accurate fulfillment of the prophecy.

The theories of men that would deny that Cyrus fulfilled a prophetic role are, therefore, shown up to be without foundation. God’s Word of prophecy can indeed be trusted. This should move us to want to investigate that Word, making sure that we both know what it says and are living in harmony with it.

The Book of James​—Exhortation to Practical Christianity

TRUE Christianity is practical. It is not merely a matter of believing or claiming to be a Christian. It is a matter of DOING God’s will in imitation of Jesus Christ. This fact Christ emphasized both by illustration and by his plain words: “Why, then, do you call me ‘Lord! Lord!’ but do not do the things I say?” Actually doing God’s will might be said to be the theme of James’ book, for in it he stresses the need for Christian works and conduct.​—Luke 6:46-49, Kingdom Interlinear Translation.

Who was this James? Certainly he was not the apostle James, the son of Zebedee, for that James was martyred quite early. (Acts 12:2) The circumstances described by James suggest a much later date.

Jesus had a half brother by the name of James who, together with his brothers, became a believer after Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Acts 1:14) Jesus appeared especially to this half brother James after his resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:7) Too, this is without a doubt the James who was one of the foremost “pillars” in the early Christian congregation. (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12) But if this James was a half brother of Jesus, why does he not say so in his letter? No doubt out of modesty. Had he not opposed Jesus during