Saturday, May 21, 2022

The "Works" that "Justify" in the teachings of James and Jesus: More Evidence Against the "Vindication" understanding of James 2

  

. . . it’s interesting to note that the works James lists as necessary for having a saving faith (clothing the naked and feeding the hungry) are of the same type that Jesus says will merit eternal life: “inherit the kingdom prepared for you . . . for I was hungry and you gave me food . . . I was naked and you clothed me” (Matt. 25:35-36).

 

It’s not unreasonable to conclude that James had this teaching in mind when he spoke of the corporeal works of mercy. And if so, then the justification he has in mind is not one that is relative to the sight of men, but one that is wrought by God. (Karlo Broussard, Meeting the Protestant Response: How to Answer Common Comebacks to Catholic Arguments [El Cajon, Calif.: Catholic Answers Press, 2022], 232)