"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone" (James 2:24).
Federal Visionists love this verse because James allegedly says that justification is by works and not by faith alone. They talk about the "whole counsel of God" (whatever that is) and how this passage ought to inform our definition of justification. They babble on about "Biblicism." They love to appeal to Sola Scriptura and all that rot. Let me show you a more excellent way.
First, Biblicism is a dangerous error that threatens our Modern Reformation. Biblicists are the reckless sort of people who attempt to read the Bible and take it seriously. The Bible is holey book that can only be handled by men who have been trained how to escape the plain meaning of the text.
Second, while we Anti-Federal Visionists feel that Sola Scriptura is a decent slogan, we must warn against its abuse. Anyone who invokes Sola Scriptura is simply trying to appeal to the Bible as our highest authority. However, this grossly misunderstands what Sola Scriptura means. Historically, Sola Scriptura means that our highest authority is how the Reformed church has interpreted the Bible.
For this reason, the Truly Reformed have always favored Sola Fide over Sola Scriptura. No one could argue with the truth that Sola Fide is more foundational to our cause. In fact, if forced to choose, we would pick Sola Fide over and against Sola Scriptura. In all fairness, we would be fine if we just changed the slogan from Sola Scriptura to Sola Traditiona.
Showing posts with label NT - James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NT - James. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, March 31, 2008
James 2:24
“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that James is saying that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Obviously, this contradicts JBFATDBWTCSOF (justification by faith alone – the doctrine by which the church stands or falls).
Even more than IAOCNHWI, the Reformed faith has prized JBFATDBWTCSOF as the doctrine of doctrines. It all ends and starts with JBFATDBWTCSOF. Everything goes back to JBFATDBWTCSOF. Without JBFATDBWTCSOF, there would be no Reformed theology.
As Paul says, preach JBFATDBWTCSOF in season and out of season. Anything less is simply tickling itching ears. Soli JBFATDBWTCSOF gloria!
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that James is saying that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Obviously, this contradicts JBFATDBWTCSOF (justification by faith alone – the doctrine by which the church stands or falls).
Even more than IAOCNHWI, the Reformed faith has prized JBFATDBWTCSOF as the doctrine of doctrines. It all ends and starts with JBFATDBWTCSOF. Everything goes back to JBFATDBWTCSOF. Without JBFATDBWTCSOF, there would be no Reformed theology.
As Paul says, preach JBFATDBWTCSOF in season and out of season. Anything less is simply tickling itching ears. Soli JBFATDBWTCSOF gloria!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
James 2:21
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that Abraham was justified by works. They argue that there are different types/aspects/perspectives of justification. They speak of initial justification, ongoing justification, and final justification. Obviously, such sentiments are not even remotely Reformed.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is by faith alone. There is no further justification or final justification. Period. No further discussion is necessary.
So, what are we to do when someone brings up James 2? We have found a catch phrase that effectively dismisses any Federal Visionists who dares to bring up James 2 or any other Biblical argument. We simply say, “Every heretic quotes the Bible.”
The power of this phrase is stunning. There is no possible rebuttal. This is the ultimate smokescreen. It is like a magic bullet or a get-out-of-jail-free card. It completely disarms your opponent because the more he quotes the Bible, the more he looks like a heretic. It works every time!
This is the Catch-22 that Federal Visionists find themselves in. If they quote the Bible, they’re heretics. If they don’t quote the Bible, they’re heretics. They're damned if they do and damned if they don’t. And, in their case, literally!
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that Abraham was justified by works. They argue that there are different types/aspects/perspectives of justification. They speak of initial justification, ongoing justification, and final justification. Obviously, such sentiments are not even remotely Reformed.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is by faith alone. There is no further justification or final justification. Period. No further discussion is necessary.
So, what are we to do when someone brings up James 2? We have found a catch phrase that effectively dismisses any Federal Visionists who dares to bring up James 2 or any other Biblical argument. We simply say, “Every heretic quotes the Bible.”
The power of this phrase is stunning. There is no possible rebuttal. This is the ultimate smokescreen. It is like a magic bullet or a get-out-of-jail-free card. It completely disarms your opponent because the more he quotes the Bible, the more he looks like a heretic. It works every time!
This is the Catch-22 that Federal Visionists find themselves in. If they quote the Bible, they’re heretics. If they don’t quote the Bible, they’re heretics. They're damned if they do and damned if they don’t. And, in their case, literally!
Monday, January 21, 2008
James 4:6
"God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).
Federal Visionists love this verse because it sounds as if God gives grace to the humble. However, this interpretation reverses the classic ordo salutis.
When a Federal Visionist says that God gives grace to the humble, he is making humility a condition of grace. Yet, the Reformed faith has always insisted that grace is unconditional. If a condition is added to grace, then grace ceases to be grace and becomes merit.
Besides, no one can humble themselves before they receive the grace of God. This is impossible. And, really, no one can humble themselves even after they receive the grace of God. “There is none who does good” (Romans 3:12).
If we bring the light of the Reformation to James, then we see that he is simply employing one of our favorite paradigms. James is giving the law (you must be humble), so that the readers will feel guilty for failing to keep the law, which will drive them to reflect upon the grace of God, which will then move them to gratitude. It’s guilt, grace, gratitude. Anything else and you are not Reformed.
You may have notice how much Federal Visionists rely on the book of James. Beware of those who quote James. This is dangerous. James is rather loose with his terms. He fails to use “justification” in the Reformed sense, contradicting sola fide.
James was one of the last books to be approved as canonical. James was barely an apostle, and some dispute this. He lacked the formal education of Paul. Luther rightly referred to James as a “strawy” epistle. While we respect some of the practical things that James says, we cannot allow his writings to influence our theology. Paul is much safer ground if you want to stay Reformed.
Federal Visionists love this verse because it sounds as if God gives grace to the humble. However, this interpretation reverses the classic ordo salutis.
When a Federal Visionist says that God gives grace to the humble, he is making humility a condition of grace. Yet, the Reformed faith has always insisted that grace is unconditional. If a condition is added to grace, then grace ceases to be grace and becomes merit.
Besides, no one can humble themselves before they receive the grace of God. This is impossible. And, really, no one can humble themselves even after they receive the grace of God. “There is none who does good” (Romans 3:12).
If we bring the light of the Reformation to James, then we see that he is simply employing one of our favorite paradigms. James is giving the law (you must be humble), so that the readers will feel guilty for failing to keep the law, which will drive them to reflect upon the grace of God, which will then move them to gratitude. It’s guilt, grace, gratitude. Anything else and you are not Reformed.
You may have notice how much Federal Visionists rely on the book of James. Beware of those who quote James. This is dangerous. James is rather loose with his terms. He fails to use “justification” in the Reformed sense, contradicting sola fide.
James was one of the last books to be approved as canonical. James was barely an apostle, and some dispute this. He lacked the formal education of Paul. Luther rightly referred to James as a “strawy” epistle. While we respect some of the practical things that James says, we cannot allow his writings to influence our theology. Paul is much safer ground if you want to stay Reformed.
Friday, January 18, 2008
James 2:14
"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14).
Federal Visionists love this passage because when James asks whether faith without works can save, he anticipates a negative answer (due to the presence of the Greek particle me at the beginning of the sentence). Thus, James is boldly declaring that faith alone cannot save, which seems like a blatant contradiction of sola fide.
However, there is no reason to ditch the historic Reformed faith. As the esteemed commentator Zane Hodges has pointed out, the word “save” probably refers to being “rescued” from trials. James is not speaking about eternal salvation but earthly deliverance, namely that faith without works cannot deliver us from earthly trials. Thank God for men like Zane Hodges who are committed to protecting sola fide!
Federal Visionists love this passage because when James asks whether faith without works can save, he anticipates a negative answer (due to the presence of the Greek particle me at the beginning of the sentence). Thus, James is boldly declaring that faith alone cannot save, which seems like a blatant contradiction of sola fide.
However, there is no reason to ditch the historic Reformed faith. As the esteemed commentator Zane Hodges has pointed out, the word “save” probably refers to being “rescued” from trials. James is not speaking about eternal salvation but earthly deliverance, namely that faith without works cannot deliver us from earthly trials. Thank God for men like Zane Hodges who are committed to protecting sola fide!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
James 2:12
"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty" (James 2:12).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think it shows a positive use of the law, as if “the law of liberty” refers to the law setting us free. However, there is no reason to take James to mean this.
The Reformed faith has always taught that the law only brings us a knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20). In no way does the law set us free. This is the path to legalism!
Notice, too, that this comes just before James 2:14-26, where James makes some rather unguarded statements about justification. Remember that James is not a systematic theologian. He writes on a practical level. Thus, the Reformed faith has rightly disregarded James when it comes to systematic theology.
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think it shows a positive use of the law, as if “the law of liberty” refers to the law setting us free. However, there is no reason to take James to mean this.
The Reformed faith has always taught that the law only brings us a knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20). In no way does the law set us free. This is the path to legalism!
Notice, too, that this comes just before James 2:14-26, where James makes some rather unguarded statements about justification. Remember that James is not a systematic theologian. He writes on a practical level. Thus, the Reformed faith has rightly disregarded James when it comes to systematic theology.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
James 2:24
“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).
Federal Visionists love this entire passage in James 2 because it seems to teach justification by works. They love to point out that the only place in the Bible that says “faith alone” is here, where James says that justification is allegedly “not” by faith alone.
The Reformed faith has always taught that justification is by faith alone (sola fide). Now, the Bible never actually says this, but Paul comes close enough when he says, “a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Romans 3:28).
Had James been aware of Paul’s writings, or even more importantly, had James known how the historic Reformed faith would have spoken of justification, James never would have written so carelessly. Then again, James has never been known as a systematic theologian. This drove Luther so nuts that he called James an epistle of “straw.”
While James is not much of a theologian, he is wonderfully practical and good to read for inspiration. However, when it comes to systematic theology, the Reformed faith has rightly looked to Paul rather than James.
Federal Visionists love this entire passage in James 2 because it seems to teach justification by works. They love to point out that the only place in the Bible that says “faith alone” is here, where James says that justification is allegedly “not” by faith alone.
The Reformed faith has always taught that justification is by faith alone (sola fide). Now, the Bible never actually says this, but Paul comes close enough when he says, “a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Romans 3:28).
Had James been aware of Paul’s writings, or even more importantly, had James known how the historic Reformed faith would have spoken of justification, James never would have written so carelessly. Then again, James has never been known as a systematic theologian. This drove Luther so nuts that he called James an epistle of “straw.”
While James is not much of a theologian, he is wonderfully practical and good to read for inspiration. However, when it comes to systematic theology, the Reformed faith has rightly looked to Paul rather than James.
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