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Proving Calvinism Without Paul Part 6 – James

Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by Les in Proving Calvinism Without Paul, Theology

The Trickiest Book

This was the most difficult book to pull reformed ideas from, at least in the plain text. That is certainly not because the book sounds Arminian, but because it sounds like it’s denying justification by faith, itself.

I’m always a little shocked when people say that James is their favorite book of the Bible. But, then again, some people like to flagellate themselves with whips, too. This book is so painful, and convicting. Any Christian that reads this book and still holds his heads high when he’s done is lying to himself.

I would say, however, that the theology James is presenting is fully reformed. Namely, that if you aren’t doing good works, you aren’t saved. I don’t believe he’s saying that we’re saved through works, but when a man is saved, good works follow without exception, which is exactly what the doctrine of regeneration teaches.  It’s not an easy thing to demonstrate with proof texts, though.

I don’t want to warm my house by using the book of James as fire wood, but I can feel Luther’s sentiment.

Anyhoo, Let’s do this thing.

My Top 5 Texts From James

James 1:17-18
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

James 2:5
“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”

James 2:7
“Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?”

James 4:15
“Instead you ought to say,”If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”"

James 5:16-18
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

Tags: bible study, calvinism, doctrine, reformed, Theology