Featured Justified By Works

Simply put, James is not saying we are justified by works. He is saying that our works accompany our already held justification by faith. In other words, if you are not producing works, you also never had saving faith.

 

Paul uses “justified” in terms of the forensic or legal sense. To be declared not guilty in judgement.

James uses justified in terms of validation, which is clear in the context. James says faith without works is not real faith, I.e. the works validate the profession of faith.

We can disagree as other Christians have for a couple thousand years.

Thanks for the conversation

peace to you

 

WVBS Online Bible School assigns this topic for their first research paper.
Curriculum - Course Schedule | WVBS Online School
Write a paper in your own words explaining Abraham's righteousness as it relates to his faith and obedience. In your paper you must refer to and explain the following verses: Genesis 15:6; 22:9-12; Hebrews 11:8-9, 17 and James 2:21-24
Genesis Optional Videos - WVBS Online Bible School

Here are some free "decent" resources.
BiblicalStudies.org.uk: James

Articles that don't have a link will sometimes pop up as free at Google Scholar.
Google Scholar
or
Open Access Digital Theological Library | a digital library for theology, religious studies, and related disciplines

One of the broken links is here
Jas2.pdf
or scroll down to volume 2 Fall 1997
James 2:21-24 and the Justification of Abraham
Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal - Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

 

I am not sure that I agree with what is taught in these videos about "decent" and "appropriate" commentaries, but at least I now know what is expected of me when people say that to me. I had to work really hard to find the free resources that allow me to participate in certain conversations without having to pay for that priviledge.

LibGuides: Bible Commentaries Guide: Home

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The Research Process

 

Please show me from scripture where Rahab is said to be “saved” after God saw her “good works”.

peace to you

 

Once again, James uses the word “justified” with reference to validation not a legal justification in judgement leading to salvation.

That is the.opinion of the Adam Clarke commentary that you quoted as a “decent” commentary.

Her faith was validated by her works. That is the context of James.

Thanks for the conversation

peace to you

 

Partially correct, for, whereas James references the Jewish Abraham of Genesis 22 to prove justification by works, Paul references the Gentile Abraham (Abram) of Genesis 15 to prove justification without works.

Peter did not say a man is justified by faith in works in Acts 10. In Acts 15 he himself says: Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God [which is what you're doing now], to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

You are absolutely right, but in the wrong dispensation. Before the Pauline revelation of justification without works, under what was still a legal system, justification was by faith and works, and will be so again during the tribulation and the millennial kingdom, but during the church age, justification is by faith without works.

 

Was a Hebrew, Genesis 14:13. (2 Corinthians 11:22).

 

What about Paul saying'?
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
MB

 

Yes. Agree:

5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 who will render to every man according to his works:
7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:
13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: Ro 2

Well, you're right along with with the 'justification by faith alone' herd with this erroneous assessment. Never mind that the works James is referring to are the very works we're going to be judged by:

27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Ja 1
15 If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,
16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Ja 2

4 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Mt 25

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Mt 25

Are you also in agreement with the erroneous assessment of the 'justification by faith alone' crowd that our good works comes from our faith?

 

The “normal” use of any word is always determined by context.

peace to you

 

My only desire is to be in agreement with scripture.

You are quoting the Apostle Paul when you charge as an erroneous assessment that we are “justified by faith alone…”

I attempt to harmonize all the accounts concerning justification, works, faith and how they are related.

My understanding results in no need to dismiss certain verses, or take any verse out of context or mock others opinions or mock the Apostles or scripture.

I am at peace with my understanding. If any one could show me from scripture that I’m wrong, I would gladly change my mind.

Thanks for the conversation

peace to you

 

FTR not once did Paul teach “justified by faith alone”. In fact, no where in the scriptures does anyone teach “justified by faith alone”. In fact, it is expressly taught in the scriptures that justification is NOT by faith alone. The early Reformers went too far in refuting the errors of Rome and there's been a domino effect in spreading their error over the centuries.

 

As Calvin held, we are saved by faith alone, but the kind of faith that saves will not be alone, will have good works