Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 2, Verse 14 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”

James opens a discussion that is still being debated in theological circles today. Are Christians saved by faith or by works or by both? It is a source of division among major Christian religious entities today because some see a contradiction between the teachings of Paul and James. This is an unnecessary division because the Bible is not a book of contradictions. The Holy Spirit did not give one plan to Paul and another to James.

Understanding that there is no contradiction is a good place to start because it changes the arguments in the debate of faith or works. James is right. Paul is right. The contradiction is man made, not God made, and we should keep that in mind.

James’ question of salvation is obviously rhetorical. James does not argue that faith does not save nor that we are not saved by faith. James’ question is to the nature of faith. Can faith that does not produce action save us is his question. Paul argues that we are not saved by works but by faith. Since the two writers must be in harmony, we must be asking the wrong question or seeing the incorrect answer.

Could it be that James and Paul are discussing two different aspects of salvation, one which only requires faith and one which requires faith and action? Interesting idea. We should think about it.

Task for Today: Believe in the accuracy of the Bible. Otherwise, you will be lost as to what to accept as truth and what to label false. The letters of Paul and the letter of James are inspired, therefore accept them both as truth.