You know, it seems like a really superficial reading that leads folks to the James vs. Paul, Faith vs. Works issue. Compare Jas 1:22f and Jas 2:14f with Mat 28:16f (red-letter words of Christ).
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You'll notice that in the Matthew passage, the disciples are having a crisis of faith, and what does Jesus tell them? He reassures them in their faith (v18, v20b) but he also tells them a bunch of verbs, "Go... evangelize... baptize... teach... observe..." Christ is saying, Have faith, but go and do good works too." This is almost verbatim James' message in the controversial passages. James is right in line with Jesus teaching with respect to the Great Commission.
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Patrick Parker, is a Christian, husband, father, judo and aikido teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282
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