I have enjoyed the New Testament course of study in Gospel Doctrine this year. One of the things which has added to my enjoyment is following along in the book, ‘Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament’ by Holzapfel, Huntsman, and Wayment. Last week I was glad to be able to read some about the book of James.

The first two chapters of James express the logic of preferring practical over confessional Christianity. This is exemplified in the following verses:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:14-1
There may be some who feel that this is a contradiction to some of the teachings of Paul. Notably:

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Gal. 2:16)

The authors of the above book pointed out something that I had not previously thought of much, and that is that there is a difference in the ‘works’ Paul is talking about and the ‘works’ James is speaking of.

Paul is clearly talking about the ceremonial requirements associated with the law of Moses when he refers to ‘works’. And Paul is teaching that these symbolic acts are not what will justify a person from sin. This context and his audience explains why he taught the way he did.

James does not appear to be discussing the law of Moses in the least. His ‘works’ are acts of charitable service to those in need. And thus there is not contradiction in Paul’s rejection of ‘works’ and James’ embrace of ‘works’.

Does this help explain the disagreements there sometimes are between Mormons and Evangelical Christians regarding faith and works.