1.Each man had a very different perspective. Paul was declaring how a guilty, lost sinner could get right with God. James was writing about how a saved person could SHOW that his faith was real.
2.Both writers used Abraham to illustrate their doctrine but they did not choose the same incident of his life. Paul used a time early in Abraham’s life, before he had given birth to any children, and the Genesis account declares that this was when Abraham was justified by faith. He believed God and because of this God put righteousness to his account (Gen. 15:6). James, while not disputing the fact that Abraham was justified by faith (see James 2:23), nevertheless chose an incident in Abraham’s life which took place many years later, when he offered up Isaac. According to James, this is when Abraham showed his faith by his works (the Genesis account indicates that this is when Abraham’s faith was “testedâ€Ââ€â€Genesis 22:1).
I'm sure they agreed on many points....after all, Paul was very crafty, or he wouldn't have had the success he had.
The problem....what Paul apparently taught abroad is not what he presented to the Apostles in Jerusalem. For example, Paul taught contra cirucumcision abroad, yet he was subservient to James enough in Acts to perform a Nazarite vow including sacrifice....so of course there are times where they agreed.
I think some of the OP quote is wishful thinking, especially in regard to Abraham. JM, would you agree that Abraham most likely followed or observed Noahide Law? If so, technically, that is Torah lite....and therefore works.
:wink:
3.Both writers mention “works.†Paul teaches that works are unnecessary but James teaches that works are essential.
JM, I believe it is accurate to say the James is true, but what if Paul is a false prophet....then what?
This apparent contradiction is solved when we realize that Paul was speaking of those good works that an unsaved person tries to do in order to win God’s favor or work his way to heaven. James on the other hand was referring to those good works that a saved person performs which gives evidence of a real, living, saving faith.
James says....
Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
There are no less than 10 Torah quotes stating the care of widow's and fatherless. That is Torah works and very important as James is concerned.
4.James does not teach that good works are necessary in order to gain salvation and Paul never teaches that good works are unnecessary after a person is saved. On the contrary, Paul agreed with James that for the person justified by faith, good works are essential (Phil. 2:12-13; Titus 3:5-8; Eph. 2:8-10). Likewise, James agreed with Paul that the only condition for inheriting the kingdom was faith and faith alone (see James 2:5 and also Acts 15 where at the Jerusalem Council James never expressed disagreement over Paul’s teaching that salvation was by faith and not by the works of the law).
That may simply be because the "Faith" issue that Paulinist's insist on isn't really an issue, or wasn't know...The emphasis of the Jerusalem councils was purely Torah....Paul apparently taught Torah opposition abroad, yet when confronted, he succombed to James wishes...Also, Paul wasn't introducing something new, the Jew's naturally have faith...they do works because of that faith...
5.The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 very clearly shows that James was not in disagreement with Peter or Paul in their teaching that salvation was by grace through faith and not by works.
That wasn't the objective of the Council...the objective was to find out if Paul was teaching opposed to the Torah. Salvation by faith was not an issue. BTW, Peter and James were in agreement....Peter and Paul were not. Paul almost sucked Peter in at Antioch, but Peter being reminded by the elders of Jerusalem quickly realized his error.
In James 15:1 we see that certain men were teaching that a person could not be saved unless he kept the deeds of the law (in this case, circumcision).
That would be Acts 15...and the above statement is not honest in inference and context. The men were sent from James to check on what Paul was doing. And, being Nazarene Jews of course they would teach that...if you were circumcised, you identified yourself with God's promises to Isreal...
Peter, in his speech, made it very clear that people are saved in only one way: by faith through grace [see v.7â€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“hear the word of the gospel and believeâ€Â;
That is not an honest statement either....you hear the gospel, you believe, and you do what is required to identify with that religion...in the case of Nararene Jews, or any Jews...that faith includes works as a show of faith.
verse 9â€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“purifying their hearts by faithâ€Â; verse 11â€â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.â€Â]
Of course faith purifies the heart. Works and obedience are a Nazarenes outward show of faith...
Soon thereafter James gave his speech, and if he had been in disagreement with Peter and Paul, this would have been the time to say so.
Rightly said....and the cause of all of Christianity's problems....instead of putting his foot down, he instead offers up a Torah Lite....with the intent as seen in the verses afterward that the Gentile believers would grow into full Torah observence in effect proselyting to Nazarene Judaism.
BTW, Peter is refering to the numerous man made laws that surround the Torah that is the unbearable yoke...
He could have said, “Men, I must respectfully but very strongly disagree with your teaching that salvation is by simple faith in Christ alone. I agree with these men who are teaching that justification is by the works of the law, and not by faith alone. It’s not enough to simply believe on Christ. We also must try to keep the law of Moses and in this way try to earn our way to heaven.†But James never said any such thing. He was in complete harmony with the teaching of Peter and Paul.
Not quite as historical documents state....Peter and Paul are never in agreement....Peter never preached faith alone...Peter suggested as Jesus taught, that rabbinic man made law was a stumbling stone.
6.Both men speak of justification but there is a slight difference of emphasis or meaning. Paul is speaking of a lost sinner being justified or declared righteous before a holy God based on the work of Christ on the cross.
Paul is teaching Torah negation....James does not. Again, if Paul can be proven to be a false prophet...who can you trust....I think I'll error on the side of James...
James is speaking of a saved person being justified or vindicated by works.
Not neccesarily, James wrote to the 12 tribes abroad and preached (historically) on the temple steps daily....were the Jew to whom he preached saved or not?
In other words, the works prove that his faith was real and not just a dead faith. Paul’s message: In order to be saved, you must be justified by faith. James’ message: If you have really been justified by faith, then prove it! Show me your faith by your works! Paul was writing about something that an unsaved person needed to do; James was writing about what a saved person needed to do.
I agree somewhat with this statement....but the false prophet question comes into play again...
So it is with the example of Abraham. Abraham at the beginning needed to be justified by faith. Abraham later on in his life needed to have his faith tested and vindicated. He showed that his faith was real. His faith was so real and vibrant that he believed that if he were to kill his only son, God would raise him back to life (see Hebrews 11:17-19 and see Genesis 22:5–“we will come again to youâ€Â).
7.CONCLUSION: We are justified by faith alone (Paul’s teaching). The faith that justifies us is not alone; it must be accompanied by good works (James’ teaching). Faith alone saves but the faith that saves is not alone! We should also note that James agreed with Paul that faith alone saves (James 2:23; 2:5 and Acts 15) and Paul agreed with James that the faith that saves is not alone (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:8; Phil. 2:12-13). Thus the conflict between Paul and James is only apparent; it is not real.
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