Reference no: EM133729949
Discussion topic
Both James and Paul discuss the relationship of faith and works:
James 2:14 reads, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?" Compare this with Paul's words in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For you are saved by grace through faith and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-not from works, so that no one can boast."
James 2:24 further states, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." For his part, Paul (Romans 3:28) says, "For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
Both James and Paul use Abraham as the example of their statement (Read James 2:20-24 and Galatians 3:6 and Romans 4:1-3, and the remainder of that chapter). Both quote Genesis 15:6, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Discuss the following:
How do you explain these statements? Is there a contradiction? If so, how do you explain the Bible's saying two different things? What explanation can be offered to reconcile these two statements by James and Paul?