Comments on: The Book of James – Part 1

By: The Book of James – Part 2 « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage

Sun, 02 May 2010 21:25:03 +0000

[...] the first half of James 1, we saw how James exhorted his readers to recognize and respond to the trials and temptations that [...]

By: A Vision of a Community Transformed « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:46:04 +0000

[...] Previous Post – Book of James – Part 1 [...]

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:30:06 +0000

Hey Paul,

Thanks for your honest comment. For myself, I believe that the contradiction is not inherent in the texts, but a result of our misinterpretation of both sources. I do not believe that James is saying that, for salvation, the law must be kept anymore than I believe Jesus was when He said His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount must be obeyed. We will, however, get into that more in future posts. Thanks!

Peace,
Jamie

By: PaulFan

PaulFan — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:23:53 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with James. Martin Luther, for a time, was against keeping this book in the bible because James contradicted the Gospels. The Gospels and Paul’s epistles speak of God’s free grace with the law being of no consequence. James, who’s audience were the Jewish Christians, tells us that while God’s grace is free, we are expected to keep the law also.

So, yes, I understand the importance of living a righteous life, but I believe in my heart that this will NEVER be achieved by man’s work. But rather, by God’s gifts of grace and faith.