The Doctrine of Sola Fide and James 2:14-26, Pt. 2

These verses (James 2:14-26) have been the occasion of much controversy. Martin Luther was so disturbed at how they conflicted with his understanding of Romans and Galatians that he regarded James with contempt and called the epistle a right strawy one. Others, in an attempt to reconcile James with their understanding of Romans and Galatians have come up with some ingenious ways to do this. Believing that Paul teaches that faith alone without any obedience to Jesus is all that is required for justification, and knowing that James teaches faith alone is dead in itself (vs 17), is barren (vs. 20) and is dead (vs 26); knowing that James teaches that faith without works cannot save (vs. 14) they contend that James is speaking about a pretended faith, while Paul speaks about a faith that is genuine. Others say that James and Paul are speaking about different kinds of justification. While Paul is speaking about justification before God, James is speaking about a justification before men. Then there are those who say that it is a mixture of both of these things. However, the difference between Paul and James is not about what they mean by faith and saved and justified, their difference lies in how they use th word works. While Paul speaks of works in which one may glory in or boast of, and also about works which nullify grace, James speaks of works which quickens faith and perfects it.

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[breenhill]

JEREMY LIN IS THE REAL DEAL! GO KNICKS!

[ds8489]

@gateroadmusic Romans 3 deals with the law. chapter 4 simply carries through on the theme. Did I ever say that Abraham was trying to justify himself through the law? I DON'T THING SO!!! The whole point of what Paul is saying is that justification does not come through the law - even Abraham was NOT justified by the law. But he was justified by works.

[Papasmurph4]

@gateroadmusic You might want to think about reading my posts more carefully. My emphasis was upon what Jesus said about the man -- he humbled himself. Humility is a command or do you think otherwise.

[Papasmurph4]

@gateroadmusic I think that you need to read my posts more carefully. The emphasis was on what Jesus said about the man -- he humbled himself. And yes, humility is a command. Do you agree?

[gateroadmusic]

@Papasmurph4 Did the publican beat his breast because he was commanded to or was it because he was convicted ( pricked) in his heart of his sinfulness? If the latter, then it was not a work, but a response. I don't think I have ever known anyone that has called this a work. You're the first.

[gateroadmusic]

@Papasmurph4 Since you assert that Paul in Romans 4:1-12, when referring to " works" (verse 5), means "works of the Mosaic Law", you are obligated to prove from Scripture that Abraham could have attempted to be justified by something that did not exist until 430 years later ( the law, Gal.3:17).

[Papasmurph4]

@gateroadmusic Are you kidding? The apostle did not install these chapter divisions. How do we know that Paul is referring to works of the Law in Romans 4? Because these are the works that he has been primarily speking about up to this point in the letter. Romans 4 cannot be taken in isolation to what was written in the earlier chapters.

[Papasmurph4]

@Papasmurph4 I accidently deleted the questions asked by @gateroadmusic . Here it is so that you all can understand the two-part answers given in the paragraphs below. Sorry about the confussion..

@gateroadmusic Can you please show us the works that are in these passages of Scripture; Ephesians 2:8-10 and Luke 18:13-14 ?

[Papasmurph4]

@gateroadmusic Jesus said: "So you too, WHEN YOU DO ALL THINGS WHICH ARE COMMANDED YOU, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'" (Lk17:10) If a man were to do this he we need no grace for he would be justied/saved by works. And though he might be in a position to boast to men about his accomplishment, he could still not boast before God because in doing all things commanded him, he has only done what he ought to have done (cf., Rom 4:2).

[Papasmurph4]

@gateroadmusic In Luke 18, "...the tax collector ... beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'" In response to this, the Lord said: "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; FOR everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, BUT HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.” (Emphasis mine, papa)