Maybe Paul and James just had a different point of view, is that possible?

Question

I think those who hold the belief in the "Inerrancy and Infallibility of the Bible" doctrine have the difficult task to try and do apologetic gymnastics to try to make things harmonize.

Maybe it wasn't meant to be in 100% harmony. Maybe you just have two christians with different points of view eh?

James liked works and Paul liked faith. It's not like there never were any conflicting view points.

Heck, Jesus and his crew had conflicting view points from time to time. Paul even criticized Peter at one point.

So is far fetched to believe that maybe the writers of the new testament simply had a different point of view?

Is it necessary that they have to agree with each other? Aren't we able to gain wisdom from different points of view?

Answer 1

The New Testament writers did not intend to create scripture. They were trying to give direction in their time and place to issues that needed addressing.

So yes, most of what they wrote is not much more than a sermon, prepared by a human, to address some issue at hand, while trying to incorporate a timeless view of God.

Fear any system that denies the concept of questioning it.

Answer 2

It may appear to you to be two different points of view because you are interrupting scripture from a 21st century perspective. In order to gain an understanding of what the writers meant we need to place the context within a 1st century culture and setting.

For instance, when Paul speaks of works (especially in Romans) we uses the expression, "works of the law". Many modern Christians think of being "under the law" and Christians as being "freed from the law". And they think that Paul is condemning all works as worthless.

However, if you lived in the 1st century you would immediately know that Paul was referring to being circumcised. Paul wasn't saying that Christians no longer do good works, or that our good works don't matter. Paul was simply saying that we don't have to be a Jew before we can be a Christian.

I for one believe that both James and Paul would be able to get together without disagreement on fundamental precepts of faith.

Answer 3

Ofcourse James and Paul had opposing views. James is alledged to be the brother of Jesus thus in common sense should have known Jesus personally.

When you read his alledged book in the new testament (the book of James), faith with works is always emphasize as a means of salvation. Jesus is not considered to be the ONLY criterion of redemption in fact it talks more about God rather than Jesus.

But Paul, who never saw and heard Jesus, and is not even related to him preached the NEW JESUS. The Jesus of redemption and being the ONLY way to salvation.

While James follow the Law of Moses to the letter as commanded by Jesus; Paul rejected it and considered it instead as the origin of sins.

While James considered the Law of Moses as applicable and important; Paul condemed it as old and should be done away with.

So Paul is totally preaching NOT THE JESUS OF JAMES but a Jesus of his fantasies, lies, of his fickle imagination and pure invention.

Answer 4

Diversity is the key to knowledge. We can take what resonates and leave the rest for others. And isn't that just the point of the volume - a collection of manuscripts with different perspectives by different authors.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, it is not commonly known that the four gospels were written at 4 different times in 4 different locations along the edge of the Western Mediterranean. The gospels reflect the ages and locations of when and where they were written.

Answer 6

The Bible is harmonious, homogeneous, and has converted some who tried to debunk it by careful examination. The thing is, it is a SPIRITual book of faith, and describes things of GOD in faith we must read, in faith we must understand it. But all these things you speak of have deep mysteries, relevant to ourselves, and to GOD, to JESUS OUR LORD, to salvation, to FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST . .. the mysteries of the fall, of sin, of suffering, of redemption, of GOD's ways, of the natural and supernatural, of the flesh and the world, of THE SPIRIT AND OF HEAVEN . ..

LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.

Answer 7

Some are. Some just like ammo to bash it with without actually reading it in context.

Answer 8

you show no conflict, as born again with power, with truth with life and love..all things are possible by faith that WORK..maybe you're not understanding because, the way to stripped the truth that set you free..from "DEAD" in spirit.
I recieved Christ's love @ work. empowered to speak in tongues, didn't know what the heck the gibberish was about, till 6 years later. in JESUS's days, he and we have a traditional DEAD FAITH religion of "NO POWER"
for the 1Cor 4:20 paul said..the kingdom of GOD is not ust words(philosphy or doctrine) it is POWER.
thy kingdom COME..they will be done ON EARTH..
what does this means? it's means..satan kingdom is losing ground..as WE who walk the talk of FAITH.POWER..LOVE..in SPRIt OF christ..in us..satan then..as bible said..be under our feet..it is written..old man pass away..NEW MAN(spiritual alive, a citizen of heaven.yet on earth..hence thy kingdom come.on earth!!)
So what paul is speaking..without FAITH..faith is dead.
Peter was sliding back into RELIGIOUSNESS..UNDER THE LAW of physical circumsion..PAUL said..circumsion of the FLESH's HEART(lust) is required..meaning "HUMILITY".
'what JAMES is speaking about..SELF CONTROL of the TONGUE.
for Gal 6:7 GOD is a spirit being who created the world BY WORDS
and GOD is not mocked..for man..in GOD's IMAGE and POWER nad LIKENESS..shall reaps whatsoever he said!
YET>.only the born again..get this much "GREAT POWER" to overcome satan..that rules over sinners .or rules over..ignorant christians and jews.
GOD's send JESUS in love..to RESTORE MAN rulership on earth.
ADAM was "gon" of the earth..lord under GOD..to rule the earth
WE..I now have of this power..much is required of me..as well accountable of me...from creeping things..to the weather...to unseep spiritual worlds..that is "FIRST" here..before this earthly world..them angels..good and evil..HONOR..the WORDS of GOD..in me..that I speak...as in casting down..pulling down..lifting up..whatever is PROMISE to me...bless is he/she who comprehend these words.
we are no noter..a sinner..but a saint.