This old favorite canard of Romanists does not get them very far. True. The Epistle of James troubled some theologians throughout history precisely because they thought it taught faith plus works. One of the chief critics of James was Martin Luther, although Luther saw much worth to the book. A good treatment on Luther and James was offered by James Swan and can be found in this article:
Six Points on Luther's "Epistle of Straw"
As far as James advocating a faith-works synergistic justification, one only needs to understand the New Testament to see how James complements the whole. First, your statement "As taught by James" offers no convincing proof other than your weak attempt at a mic drop moment. James fits in quite nicely when one considers the Pauline view of justification and the point James was trying to make. Paul's writings emphasize faith apart from works, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9), but this does not mean Paul ignores the value of works. One verse later Paul writes, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Paul is stating that justification is by faith, apart from works, but a faith that saves produces works. That is not a so-subtle difference. Consider some of the statements of the Apostle in Romans 4:
Romans 4:1-8 "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. 8“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.”
Paul leaves no ambiguity. Justification is by faith alone, apart from works. But we have seen in Ephesians 2:10 that Paul is not against works, he is just against works as a synergistic formula with faith in justification. So, how does the half-brother of our Lord's letter fit into Pauline justification? It is not difficult to reconcile if one keeps authorial intent in mind. James was writing to Jewish believers who were part of the Diaspora and who were enduring persecution (James 1:1, 12). James' letter was heavy on the practical. These persecuted Jewish believers were receiving instruction on how to live. James puts his instructions bluntly, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead,
being by itself" (2:17). Instead of pitting two New Testament authors against themselves, let's allow the Apostle Peter to weigh-in. Peter writes in
1 Peter 1:3-9:
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to
obtain an inheritance
which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith,
being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
Peter says that believers are "protected by the power of God through faith". Not one mention of works. However, similar to Paul, Peter writes, "so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ". What is the "proof of your faith"? Two things: the perseverance of faith in the face of persecution (faith's staying power) and works. Peter never joins faith and works together as part of a synergistic justification. Indeed, in his second letter, Peter is careful to put faith and works in their respective order:
2 Peter 2:5-11 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in
your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in
your knowledge, self-control, and in
your self-control, perseverance, and in
your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in
your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in
your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these
qualities is blind
or short-sighted, having forgotten
his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
According to Peter, faith should produce the qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brother kindness et al. is James contradicting the other New Testament writers? Not at all. James' emphasis was on the need for a faith that produces works as a means to validate the bona fide nature of that faith. Paul made the same point in Ephesians 2:8-10, although both approached it differently.
No. It means I simply forgot to add "faith alone" to my previous post, when that was my intention. Also, my appeal is not to "the Church" vis-à-vis Rome, but to scripture. And it is not my theology, as though what I believe is of any consequence.
