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The James 2 Issue, part 2
In a recent article, we examined Martin Luther’s issue with James 2. He could not reconcile Paul’s argument in Romans 4 about salvation by faith alone apart from works (Rom. 3:21; 4:1-8), and James’ argument that salvation is not by faith alone, but by works (James 2:24). His solution was to discredit James’ letter entirely. We also examined the argument some have made that “Paul is talking about our initial salvation, while James is talking about what we must do after we’re saved.” That position falls flat because faith is always the same, both before and after conversion. So where does that leave us? How do we solve Luther’s problem without discrediting James or Paul? The answer is found in the purpose for which Paul and James wrote their letters.
In Romans, Paul is addressing the question, “What is the basis or grounds for our salvation? Is it faith in Jesus Christ or is it keeping the Law of Moses?” If salvation is based on faith in Jesus, it cannot be based on the Law of Moses. If it’s based on the Law of Moses, salvation cannot be based on faith in Jesus, and He didn’t even need to die on the cross. To answer this question, Paul uses Abraham’s example in Romans 4:1-3. Was Abraham saved by keeping the Law of Moses? No, the Law of Moses wasn’t even instituted in Abraham’s lifetime. Therefore, the Law of Moses could not be the basis of His salvation. What was though? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to Him as righteousness.” (Rom. 4:3). Abraham was saved by his faith in God. Since Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, it stands to reason the Jews would be saved the same way he was: by faith, not by keeping the Law of Moses.
James, on the other hand, is not explaining the basis of our salvation. He is describing the nature of faith. Writing to a group of new Jewish Christians, they likely struggled to understand what it meant to be saved by faith and not by the Law of Moses. Perhaps they interpreted it to mean faith must not require them to do anything, but to simply acknowledge Jesus’ existence while still living however they wanted. Paul addressed a similar problem in Romans 6:1. Some Jews thought salvation by faith meant they had a pass to live however they wanted. James argues that faith, if not demonstrated by works, is dead. Again, James is not arguing that works are the grounds for our salvation. That would contradict what Paul said, and Christ’s sacrifice would be unnecessary. James knew faith in Christ was the grounds for our salvation; he was simply explaining the nature of that faith.
Taken together, Paul says faith in Jesus is the only grounds for our salvation, and James says saving faith in Jesus must be demonstrated with action. When we examine the purpose of Romans and James we find these are two separate, yet perfectly harmonious points.
