James 2:14-26: Faith Without a Pulse
From Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio by KFUO Radio
May 8, 2026 · 56 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the relationship between faith and works as presented in James 2:14-26, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated through actions.
A man is cold and hungry and you tell him "hope things get better." James wants to know what kind of faith that is. Martin Luther wrestled with this passage because it sounds like James is saying your works save you. He isn't. He's saying a living faith moves your hands, the same way a living body breathes. Abraham and Rahab both trusted God, and that trust showed up in what they did. Faith that doesn't move is a corpse, but the Christ who gives faith also gives the life that moves it. The Rev. Dr. Peter Elliot, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study James 2:14-26. To learn more about Messiah Lutheran, visit messiahseattle.org. Luther called it an “epistle of straw,” but then preached from it for the rest of his life as the Word of God. In this series, host Pastor Phil Booe and guest pastors walk verse by verse through the Letter of James, written by the brother of our Lord, the leading pastor of the Jerusalem church, and a man who thought Jesus had lost His mind until the resurrection proved otherwise. James writes to scattered Christians who are suffering, squabbling, playing favorites with the rich, and letting their tongues run…
People in this episode
Host: Rev. Dr. Phil Booe
Guest: Rev. Dr. Peter Elliot
Topics covered
- faith
- works
- James
- Christianity
- spirituality
- Lutheranism
Keywords
- faith
- works
- James 2
- spirituality
- Christianity
- Martin Luther
- Abraham
- Rahab
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Messiah Lutheran Church, KFUO Radio
Books & works: Letter of James
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