In 1522, Martin Luther famously called the book of James an "epistle of straw." He believed James took aim at Paul's teaching of justification by faith alone when he said "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). 

Do Paul and James mix like oil and water, or are they peanut butter and jelly? A closer look suggests the two theologians are both nearer to the truth than Luther thought. Think about two sides of the same coin―heads, tails, tomato, tomato. Does that help?

James is the "show me" theologian that wants to see the proof of your faith. He says, "Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18). 

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“Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

Romans 8:28 MSG