James 2:24

[Striver]

I came specifically for the Calvinist and Reformed view of this passage given the systematic nature of thought here:

James 2:24
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Your typical Protestant will respond with the "faith without works is dead" response, I think. I've accepted that own explanation for a number of years because it's somewhat tenable in the context of James. However, I've had to reexamine the passage in light of some Orthodox arguments I've encountered against sola fide. To me, this verse is the crescendo of the argument made against sola fide, and I am admittedly having a little trouble with it because it so bluntly states the antithesis of sola fide when examined at face value. (IE: It doesn't simply say you need a faith that has works as a manifestation of the faith to be justified.)

Are there any here who could shed some light on this or perhaps share a Reformed commentary on this verse? Would this speak to the works covenant that I've heard men like RC Sproul talk about?

Thanks!

 

[twin1954]

I came specifically for the Calvinist and Reformed view of this passage given the systematic nature of thought here:

James 2:24
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Your typical Protestant will respond with the "faith without works is dead" response, I think. I've accepted that own explanation for a number of years because it's somewhat tenable in the context of James. However, I've had to reexamine the passage in light of some Orthodox arguments I've encountered against sola fide. To me, this verse is the crescendo of the argument made against sola fide, and I am admittedly having a little trouble with it because it so bluntly states the antithesis of sola fide when examined at face value. (IE: It doesn't simply say you need a faith that has works as a manifestation of the faith to be justified.)

Are there any here who could shed some light on this or perhaps share a Reformed commentary on this verse? Would this speak to the works covenant that I've heard men like RC Sproul talk about?

Thanks!

You have heard of the analogy of faith? What it simply means is that Scripture interprets Scripture. You cannot take a verse alone and build a doctrine on it. Your understanding of the verse must, and I stress must, agree with what is taught in all the Scriptures on the same subject. The Scriptures are very clear that salvation is apart from works. Works and grace cannot mix in any way. Therefore you must understand this passage in that context.

Now I will submit that all believers do good works. Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us rthat we are God's masterpieces created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God has forordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

Moreover I would submit that most of the good works that believers do they are unaware of. Those whom the Lord commends as His people fit for Heaven are those who didn't even know that they had done the things He commended. Matt. 25:31-46

 

[Steve Petersen]

The word translated 'faith' from the Hebrew is 'emunah' and it is actually a verb.

A better translation might be 'faithing' or 'heeding.'

 

[twin1954]

The word translated 'faith' from the Hebrew is 'emunah' and it is actually a verb.

A better translation might be 'faithing' or 'heeding.'

James was not written in Hebrew.

This is the Ask a Calvinist room and unless you are a Calvinist you are not allowed to give an answer. This room is not for debate.

 

[Steve Petersen]

James was not written in Hebrew.

This is the Ask a Calvinist room and unless you are a Calvinist you are not allowed to give an answer. This room is not for debate.

What does a Calvinist icon look like?

 

[twin1954]

What does a Calvinist icon look like?

A TULIP.

 

[Steve Petersen]

A TULIP.

Where do I get it? I don't see you flying one.

 

[twin1954]

Where do I get it? I don't see you flying one.

Are you a Calvinist? I don't need an icon to identify what I believe. If you read what I post you will have no doubts. I work hard to be clear about where I stand concerning the things of Christ.

 

[Striver]

You have heard of the analogy of faith? What it simply means is that Scripture interprets Scripture. You cannot take a verse alone and build a doctrine on it. Your understanding of the verse must, and I stress must, agree with what is taught in all the Scriptures on the same subject. The Scriptures are very clear that salvation is apart from works. Works and grace cannot mix in any way. Therefore you must understand this passage in that context.

Now I will submit that all believers do good works. Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us rthat we are God's masterpieces created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God has forordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

Moreover I would submit that most of the good works that believers do they are unaware of. Those whom the Lord commends as His people fit for Heaven are those who didn't even know that they had done the things He commended. Matt. 25:31-46

Yes, good reminders, thanks.

I guess it does come back to the notion of an "active faith" - the works certainly don't justify us, but that active faith produces works by extension, and that faith is what justifies us. The more I look at James 2, the more I see how the context is couched in James 2:14-26, the whole "faith without works is dead"...show me faith without works and I'll show you a dead faith. It's another way of saying, show me a dead faith, and I'll show you an unjustified faith, basically.