Theocast
Faith Without Works Is Dead (James 2)
February 16, 2022
Summary
In this episode, Jon and Justin consider James 2, and in particular, the apostles' assertion that faith without works is dead. How should we understand this in the context of the entire letter of James? How has our quest for personal religious experience clouded our understanding of a passage like James 2? What are the good works we should be concerned with? And how is it that the commands of God are not burdensome? The guys discuss all this and more. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more about the clear emphasis of the New Testament that the saints love one another. The guys also touch on the confusion that exists around good works in the church today. Resources: Jon Moffitt's sermons in James Our episode on pietism ruining good works Our episode on the law, gospel, and sanctification Our episode on sanctification not being about us https://youtu.be/wYwO94izSv0
Topics
- Episode focus: Faith Without Works Is Dead (James 2)
- Jon and Justin consider James 2, and in particular, the apostles' assertion that faith without works is dead
- How should we understand this in the context of the entire letter of James?
- How has our quest for personal religious experience clouded our understanding of a passage like James 2?
- What are the good works we should be concerned with?
Transcript
Edited machine transcript. May contain errors. Select a timestamp to watch that moment.
Hi, this is Justin.
Today on Theocast, we're going to have a conversation about a pretty controversial chapter in the Bible, James chapter 2, and in particular the topic of faith without works being dead.
This episode is going to dovetail nicely with some of the things that we've recorded lately about the law and the gospel and sanctification and good works, and even how pietism ruins said good works.
So, we're going to consider James 2 and the content of that, and what does James mean by saying that faith without works is dead?
We're going to think about the commands of the New Testament, the things that we are told by God to be doing for one another, and we're going to think about how those commands are not burdensome because of the
Lord Jesus Christ and what He's accomplished in our place.
We hope this is clarifying and encouraging for you.
Stay tuned.
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