WAS JAMES PREACHING A DIFFERENT THEOLOGY THAN PAUL?

Martin Luther had charged that James taught a different doctrine of “justification” than did Paul, who taught that we are justified by grace through faith alone (Genesis 15:6; Romans 3:23-28; 4:1-9; Ephesians 2:8-9). Instead it might seem that James had taught justification by faith plus good deeds. However, I don’t think that this is true. James also taught that salvation comes as a gift of God through the Gospel:

·       Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:16-18)

However, James did teach that we are “justified by works and not by faith alone”:

·       Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:21-24)

However, I don’t think that James was teaching a different doctrine but a different usage of the word “Justified.” He acknowledged that Abraham had been justified by believing God (Genesis 15:6). However, James understood “justification” as an ongoing process, a demonstration, of which the mechanics (methods) of salvation also played a role. Abraham’s obedience was part of the “justification” process, without denying that salvation is a free gift coming down from above (James 1:16-18). Salvation was a “done deal” even though it had to be worked out.

However, Paul’s teaching paralleled James’ in this matter:

·       …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Also, for Paul salvation was an ongoing process as well as an accomplished fact through the free gift of God:

·       For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:8-9; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

If we have the faith of God, we will be motivated to obey. These are the fruits of the Spirit and of salvation. If we trust Christ, we will do what He tells us to do, however imperfect our efforts might be. Peter described this process as the confirmation of our faith (as James had described it as “justification):

·       For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall [away]. (2 Peter 1:9-10)

A true faith will practice obedience, in contrast with the devil who “believes” with a dead faith (James 2:17-19). Jesus also taught that a true living and saving faith will be accompanied by obedience:

·       And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:23-24)

James taught that when Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice to His God, this was part of the process of justification. However, Jesus and His Apostles merely described it as the process of salvation. But it seems that they were each referring to the same process – Through faith and obedience the Spirit will produce the fruit of the free gift of life.

It seems that Martin Luther finally made his peace with the Epistle of James. His biographer, Roland Bainton, had written:

·       “Faith, [Luther had written] is a living, restless thing. It cannot be inoperative. We are not saved by works; but if there be no works, there must be something amiss with faith.” [Here I Stand, 259]

Faith produces obedience as the sun produces heat.