Quote:
Originally Posted by DistantStar
Wait, what? So you disclaim the authority of a Biblical (and especially New Testamental) book? Do you consider James inspired or not? If yes, then how can it be false? If no, then what others books are wrong?
Am I missing something here?
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Why don't you ask Igzy that question first? He was the one that said it doesn't mean what it says. And if God's inspired word does not mean what it says, how can we claim it is inspired?
Does James 2:24 say in plain English that we are justified by works? - yes.
Is the meaning of "justified", "make righteous" , as referring to salvation? - yes, as evident by the preceding verse 23.
Does Paul say in plain English that we are justified by faith only and not works in Ephesians 2:8-9? - yes.
So there we have a dilemma. James contradicts Paul, yet the gospels support the view that salvation is by faith without works (the thief on the cross, John 3:16, etc etc), and never once says that salvation is faith + works.
Also, a belief that genuine faith has works is also false, because the thief on the cross was saved with no works.
According to Paul, the only requirements for salvation is a believing heart and confession with the mouth (Romans 10:9). The confession with the mouth could be considered a "work", however James never mentions this, he refers to deeds, or things we do practically like giving to the poor.