- Aug 21, 2003
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Good Day, Bob
Douglas Moo covers this in his commentary on James:
Snip" 4. The fourth reason for denying that James of Jerusalem could have written this letter involves the famous problem of the relationship between James and Paul, especially with respect to their teaching on justification. The letter insists that works are required for justification: "a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone" (2:24). Paul, on the other hand, teaches that a person is justified by faith and not by "works of the law" (e.g., Rom. 3:28). The relationship of these two teachings is one of the biggest theological issues in the letter and, indeed, one of the most significant theological tensions within the NT. We will address the matter later in the Introduction (in the section on Theology) and in the commentary proper. For now, however, we should note that, while the two seem to be in direct contradiction when statements of each are taken on their own, a careful study of the vocabulary of each and of the respective contexts in which they are speaking mitigates the tension significantly. In fact, most scholars now recognize that, like ships passing in the night."
And again:
Snip "The most important, and controversial, contribution of James to NT theology comes in his teaching about the importance of works for justification (2:14-26). Indeed, many theologians mention James only because he seems to contradict the critical doctrine of "justification by faith alone" taught by Paul. But this is not fair to James. He has his own point to make; and it must be appreciated for what it is and not shunted aside in a wrongheaded or hasty insistence on theological integration. James condemns any form of Christianity that drifts into a sterile, actionless "orthodoxy." Faith, not what we do, is fundamental in establishing a relationship with God. But faith, James insists, must be given content. Genuine faith, he insists, always and inevitably produces evidence of its existence in a life of righteous living. Biblical faith cannot exist apart from acts of obedience to God."
We are indeed Justified by faith alone, but the Faith is never alone the works you see.... do you see?
Clement Of Rome notes:
Clement of Rome ( First Clement)
"And we who through his will have been called in Christ Jesus are justified, not by ourselves, or through our wisdom or understanding or godliness, or the works that we have done in holiness of heart, but by faith, by which all men from the beginning have been justified by Almighty God, to whom be glory world without end. Amen. What, then, shall we do, brethren? Shall we cease from well-doing, and abandon charity? May the Master never allow that this should happen to us! but let us rather with diligence and zeal hasten to fulfil every good work. For the Maker and Lord of all things rejoiceth in his works. By his supreme power he founded the heavens, and by his incomprehensible understanding he ordered them. The earth he separated from the water that surrounded it, and fixed it on the firm foundation of his own will. The animals which inhabit therein he commanded to be by his ordinance. Having made beforehand the sea and the animals that are therein, he shut them in by his own power. Man, the most excellent of all animals, infinite in faculty, he moulded with his holy and faultless hands, in the impress of his likeness. For thus saith God: Let us make man in our own image, and after our own likeness. And God made man. Male and female made he them. When, therefore, he had finished all things, he praised and blessed them, and said, Be fruitful, and multiply. Let us see, therefore, how all the just have been adorned with good works. Yea, the Lord himself rejoiced when he had adorned himself with his works. Having, therefore, this example, let us come in without shrinking to his will; let us work with all our strength the work of righteousness." (32-33)
In Him,
Bill
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