Faith Plus Works

[michaelgazin]

The following is a Protestant article on faith plus works (www.gotquestions.org)

James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his life – then he likely does not have genuine faith in Christ

Is this not a desperate attempt to keep from being “Catholic?” It seems ironic that the protestant view of sola fide is only argued by saying that indeed faith + works are inseparable. Is this not merely a description of the Catholic view?

 

[Genesis315]

There’s a reason why Luther wanted to axe James. It would have made things so much easier for his new doctrine of Sola Fide

 

[Seeks_God]

michaelgazin:

The following is a Protestant article on faith plus works (www.gotquestions.org)

Is this not a desperate attempt to keep from being “Catholic?” It seems ironic that the protestant view of sola fide is only argued by saying that indeed faith + works are inseparable. Is this not merely a description of the Catholic view?

I might be reading between the lines, but are they stating that a person with faith will not experience suffering???

“Works” has to do with suffering for Christ, does it not???

 

[Genesis315]

Seeks God:

“Works” has to do with suffering for Christ, does it not???

Sometimes. The Sacraments are also works. So are prayers. So is giving to charity. So is avoiding sin. Works covers a lot.

 

[mtr01]

Protestant article:

James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his life.

It seems like the author of this article decided to entirely skip James 2:24…

Jam 2:24 Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?

Beats me how the author can make his claim with a straight face.

 

[DeFide]

They also skipped this:

19 You believe that God is one. You do well. **Even the demons believe that and tremble. **20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?

The fallen angels know much more clearly that you or I about God, and yet they chose to reject God. Many Protestants get tripped up by Paul’s saying that works (works of Torah) aren’t what saves you, and they don’t realize that he’s referring to the works of the Torah, and that he’s not preaching Sola Fide, as James so forcefully clarifies.

We must not reject God’s grace.
catholic.com/library/Grace_What_It_Is.asp