Justification By Faith Alone Conference, Cape Town South Africa: June 20-21, 2025

Justification and Good Works? Luther and Calvin on the Book of James

Martin Luther and John Calvin held divergent views concerning the Epistle of James relative to the doctrine of justification, particularly in relation to the interplay between faith and works. Martin Luther, championing sola fide—justification by faith alone—approached James with caution, famously calling it an “epistle of straw” because he believed it lacked the evangelical clarity of Pauline texts like Romans and Galatians. For Luther, James 2 seemed to obscure the instrumental role of faith by appearing to attribute justification to works. Calvin, however, upheld the epistle's canonical authority and offered a more harmonized interpretation, arguing that James does not contradict Paul but emphasizes that true, living faith necessarily produces works as its fruit. Rev. Borvan explores this historical theological tension as well as offers an exposition of James 2: to distinguish but not separate justification and sanctification.

Justification and Good Works? Luther and Calvin on the Book of James