Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: bgsuvax!kutz@cis.ohio-state.edu (Kenneth J. Kutz) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Faith and Works Message-ID: Date: 3 Jan 91 08:55:54 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh. Lines: 33 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Paul and James are in complete harmony with each other. Complete harmony. James emphasis in James 2:14-26 is works BEFORE MEN. In James 2:18 James says "Show ME your faith without deeds and I will show YOU my faith by what I do". The emphasis all throughout here is works before men, not before God. What is so important about works before men? It reveals whether or not the faith is living faith or claimed (dead) faith. Anyone can claim to have faith: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man CLAIMS to hav faith but has no deeds? Can SUCH FAITH (claimed faith) save him?" (James 2:14). The implied answer here is no. Why? Because this faith is only claimed. The reality of this is manifest by its lack of works. Paul's emphasis in Romans 4 is BEFORE GOD, not BEFORE MEN: "If in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-BUT NOT BEFORE GOD." I wonder why people always say Paul and James disagree. Get this and mark it down. ** PAUL SAYS THE VERY SAME THING AS JAMES IN ROMANS 2:13 ** Both James and Paul describe a QUALITY of saving faith - obedience. -- Kenneth J. Kutz Internet kutz@andy.bgsu.edu Systems Programmer BITNET KUTZ@ANDY University Computer Services UUCP ...!osu-cis!bgsuvax!kutz Bowling Green State Univ. US Mail 238 Math Science, BG OH 43403