Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
It is all God-breathed but we must understand which applies to us today according to the New Testament and which does not.
Different dispensations for Psalms, and James leans towards Judaism. Lee was not the first to doubt the authenticity of James because of its more works-based slant than "faith alone". There is a reason why faith-alone Protestants prefer to quote Ephesians 2:8 "grace alone" than James 2:24 which says we are righteous not by faith alone but also by works. They would never write James 2:24 in a gospel tract, because it is not fitting with their views, or they will try and explain it away.
Other examples is that the Psalms appeals to ones own righteousness on occasion, and also calls for God to kill their enemies.
Both of these violate the NT truth of salvation by grace through faith alone, and loving our enemies as Jesus taught. So these Psalms would be "in error" according to the New Testament revelation and how we should apply them today. Of course they are not in error where it concerns the truthfulness of God's Word and their application to the Old Testament period.
So it is possible for a person to "follow the Bible" and yet not follow the truth, if they are following the parts of the bible that don't apply to them today, or apply them in the wrong context. The Bible being God's 100% inspired and perfect Word, does not prevent a person from incorrectly using it.
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My impression is that you deem James 2:24 as contradicting Ephesians 2 on grace.
They do not contradict. Do take a look at Eph 2v 10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
We are not saved by our good works but we are saved to do good works.
Good works are not the cause of our salvation, but the fruit of our salvation.