When discussing the issue of faith and works, Jehovah’s Witnesses will insist on looking at James 2.

They will cite you verses that seem to flatly contradict Paul.

 

Ask one of the Witnesses to read aloud James 2:21, 24: “Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?…You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works and not by faith alone.”

Have the other Witness read aloud Paul’s words in Romans 4:2-3: “For instance, if Abraham was declared righteous as a result of works, he would have reason to boast, but not with God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Also read aloud what Paul says in Romans 3:28: “For we consider that a man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law.”

The most non-threatening way to talk with Jehovah’s Witnesses is to let them be the teachers.

Say something like this:

  • That’s confusing, isn’t it?
  • At first blush, Paul and James seem to be saying the exact opposite.
  • What do you think?
  • Do you believe that Paul and James contradict each other?
  • Does God’s Word contradict itself?

They will have to say no.

Ask this stone-in-the-shoe question:

  • Please help me understand. How do you reconcile what Paul says about faith and works with what James says?

They won’t have a good answer.

Most likely, they will focus on James and say that faith without works is dead and that faith means nothing until we exercise it by doing good works.

Ask:

  • Could I tell you how I think Paul and James can be reconciled and get your take on it?

By asking for their opinion, you’ll be allowing them to fulfill what they consider to be their rightful roles as teachers of the truth.

Ask one of the Witnesses to read about Abraham in Gensis 15:6: “And he put faith in Jehovah, and He counted it to him as righteousness.”

Follow up by asking:

  • Which came first for Abraham in Genesis 15—the righteousness by faith or the righteousness of works?

Faith.

That happened in Genesis 15.

He didn’t offer Isaac on the altar until Genesis 22, more than 25 years later.

Ask:

  • Was Abraham righteous all those 25-plus years before he did the work of offering Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22?

Yes.

How do we know that? Because God declared him righteous in Genesis 15, and if God declares you righteous, you are righteous.

Even though Abraham sinned during those intervening years, such as by siring Ishmael by Hagar, God still considered him righteous because of his faith and continued to work in his life.

Have them read aloud these three verses in James:

James 2:22-24: “You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works, and the scripture was fulfilled that says: ‘Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he came to be called Jehovah’s friend.’ So you see that a man is to be declared righteous by works and not by faith alone.”

You can say:

  • Is it all right if I give you my reaction to that and then get your feedback?

When they say yes, you can give your understanding:

  • James says that Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 22 was a fulfillment of God’s declaration of his righteousness back in Genesis 15. 
  • So I believe it was the salvation and the inner righteousness Abraham had already received back in Genesis 15 by faith as a gift—without any works—which led to his further trust of God, and that led to his righteous obedience and works in Genesis 22.
  • In other words, it was the inner righteousness that he obtained by faith in Genesis 15 that produced the righteous works and obedience in Genesis 22.
  • So it seems to me that genuine Christian faith does produce righteous works, but the works have nothing to do with saving us or with making us righteous.
  • I believe Paul would agree with James that genuine, saving faith produces good works, but he would insist that good works have no role in saving us.
  • Rather, they are the product of an inner transformation which comes about solely by grace through faith. Good works are the products of salvation, not the prerequisites to What do you think?

Summary

The goal of this discussion is to create stone-in-the-shoe thoughts that will get the Witnesses thinking about how to reconcile Paul and James rather than simply quoting James and ignoring Paul.

 

 

 

 

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