Does James 2 on Justification by Works Contradict Paul on Justification by Faith?
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- Опубликовано: 21 июн 2024
- Many Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox apologists argue that the "Protestant" doctrine on faith alone is not biblical and that James 2 contradicts it. Is that true?
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This video interview occurred on August 28, 2021. Please visit Adherent Apologetics / @adherentapologetics 
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I don't do works to achieve Salvation, I do works because of my Salvation!
Excellent. Thank you. I would add that both James and Paul say we are unable to keep the law.
Gal 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Gal 5:3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
Jas 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
Exactly!
"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matt 5:48
The whole point in saying this is not to tell you to try to actually be perfect, but to point out the fact that you cannot be perfect. That's why you need Jesus.
"I will show you my faith BY what I do"
What's James showing? Faith.
How does he do it? BY works.
James is still talking about salvation by FAITH. It's still faith-centric.
Thank you, Dr Costa.
I wrote a paper on this semi-recently. I enjoy pointing out something I've never seen anybody else mention. Read verse 18 carefully, especially the beginning. "But someone will say, 'You have faith; and I have works.'" I often see this passage read as though James is in the works righteousness camp, thereby refuting justification by faith. But that begs the question - if James is taking a works righteousness position in these verses, then why does his hypothetical interlocutor from verse 18 specifically ascribe faith to him in contradistinction to works?
It becomes clearer if you walk through it. "Someone will say" - someone, as in another person apart from James. And then the accusation - 'You' have faith and 'I' have works. They are ascribing faith to their debate opponent while claiming works for themselves. If that represents James' exact position (works righteousness), why does he assign it to some separate hypothetical person? Assuming this is a theoretical person speaking to James himself, then they are actually putting him in the camp of faith, not of works. It doesn't make much sense if James is arguing for the works position.
I've come to believe his true intent is to dispute both works righteousness AND workless faith in these verses. In summary, this brief mock dispute is not intended to be between James and some imaginary person, but two hypothetical people. And James does not take either solo position (works righteousness or said faith) in the argument, but a third one which fully aligns with Paul's teachings. Upon reading the rest of the immediate context, it becomes clear that Dr. Costa's interpretation is correct. Justification before God, which is achieved by faith alone, can only be demonstrated to men by works, which true faith always produces.
Excellently explained! I’ve gotta start using that!
@@midnighthymn Please do. I hope it's helpful to you.
That's a great point.
Yes, correct. Another point: if one reads James the way the Catholics want to read it, then James' comment that Abraham was justified by faith becomes totally discordant with the surrounding verses. 2:23 doesn't even make sense in that context; it sticks out like a sore thumb. But when we harmonize James 2 with Romans 3 & 4, and read it the proper way as you stated, then verse 23 fits in.
Bingo
It honestly baffles me how many people still don't get this. They will argue until they're blue in the face from either side, not realizing that depending on which position they're taking they would either have to tear James, or Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians out of their Bible. That alone should point them tovthe truth, which is that we are saved by faith, but our works are the fruit of true faith. It's actually pretty amazing that James and Paul together, by the power of the Holy Spirit, providentially close the door on both false versions of the gospel. Leaving the true gospel, regarding faith and works, as the only available option.
@@dashriprock5720 What? That makes no sense whatsoever.
@@dashriprock5720 I just re-read your comment, and I still don't understand how it says what I now think you're saying it says. Maybe it's me, I don't know?
Anyway, works do not precede salvation, they proceed from it. Good works are the fruit of salvation. They earn you nothing. Jesus did it all. I don't work in order to be saved, I work because I am saved. Salvation is received by grace through faith, which causes sanctification, which produces works.
This distinction is hugely important, because it's literally the gospel. Getting it wrong, means getting the gospel wrong.
I'm not sure what you meant by "hating their denomination". I would happily be in fellowship with Roman Catholics, but not at the expense of compromising the gospel. The problem is that Rome has made it a requirement to compromise the gospel in order to fellowship with them. Under the Roman gospel you have to believe that your works can earn you something. The reason that's not the true gospel is because if your works are earning you something then there is a selfish component in them. That's the beauty of the true gospel. If your works earn you nothing, then not only did Christ do it all Himself, but He also completely removed any opportunity for selfishness nature to corrupt your works. In fact, under the Roman gospel, you're not even allowed to say that you are justified by faith apart from works lest any man should boast. Otherwise you are anathematized by Rome. Which means they've anathematized the Apostle Paul, which is just crazy! People are still holding onto all of that out of nothing but inherited pride. So sad!
This goes back to my original point, which is that basically if you're going to follow the Roman gospel, then you have to tear a whole lot of Paul out of your Bible. Then on the other hand, with some of these "progressive Christians", which most of the time I think just means "non-Christian". You have people taking it way to far to the other extreme thinking, "I don't need to do anything, and it doesn't matter if I live my life completely in sin and self-indulgence". Like, NO! You don't have to do anything to earn your salvation, because you can't earn it. If you don't do anything in accord with loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself. Then your more selfish than the guy who's only doing good works because he thinks he needs to "earn grace", which in an incoherent preposition. In that case, then you have to tear James out of your Bible.
This is what I don't get. How do so many people not see this? The true gospel reveals itself just by nature of these contradictory positions. It can't be either, so it must be neither. Which leaves you with only one option. Sola Fide, which bears the fruit of good works, for which you earn nothing in return, because the Lord's grace is sufficient for you.
There, I hope I've articulated my position well enough. Sorry I didn't understand what you were saying. My position, and even sometimes zealous advocacy, has nothing to do with hating anyone's denomination. I can't speak for anyone else though. For me it has only to do with defending the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your last 2 videos showed up black I couldn’t watch them
You don't need to see it you can just listen like a podcast ☺️
Everything looks good to me so maybe you needed to refresh.
Hopefully you'll try again to watch the videos. ☺️
Wow that's racist!
@@KFish-bw1om I wasn’t being racist I put the video on Roku there was no sound and the tv was blank that’s what I meant to say blank
@@truthwatch2858 I was joking! LOL
@@KFish-bw1om okay lol