Are Law and Gospel in Conflict?

Part 3

Seeming contradictions face us in the Bible. They can tie us in theological knots. If we remember the Bible comes to us in human language using figures of speech we can often untie these Gordian knots.

For example, Paul uses Abraham as an example of right standing with God by grace through faith. See Romans 4:1-4 and Galatians 3:5-7. At the same time, James boldly asks, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" (James 3:21). The question expects a positive response. What do we do with this seeming contradiction? What James now says helps us. "You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'and abraham believed god, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God" (James 3:22-23).

There is little doubt that saving faith exhibits itself in obedience to the precepts of God. Faith and works are connected. There is a cause and effect relationship. The grace of God creates faith within us. We then seek to validate or vindicate our faith by our works. But James 3:24 confuses us, "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." Is right standing with God based upon faith plus works or is justification by grace alone through faith alone?

James references Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" (James 3:21). God commends Abraham. "By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and . . . in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice" (Genesis 22:16-18). Does the obedience of Abraham merit God's blessing? No, it does not. We have here an example of metonymy.

A metonym is a figure of speech. The name for one thing is used for that of another associated with or suggested by it. For example, reporters intone, "The White House announced..." The White House did not say a word; it was the President who spoke. White House is a metonym for the President. This figure of speech is also used in relationships of cause and effect. A state governor may say, "I created thousands of jobs while governor." The governor did not personally create thousands of jobs. He fostered the climate for job growth by proposing specific legislation. This is an example of metonymy. Job 6:4 says, "The arrows of the Almighty are within me." Arrows refer to the wounds the arrows produce. This is metonymy. Job 34:6 says, "My wound is incurable." The original Hebrew quite literally says, "My arrow is incurable." The Hebrew text uses a metonym. The arrow causes the wound. The English translation acknowledges the figure of speech.

Saving faith in Jesus Christ engenders obedience. Genesis 22:18 speaks of the obedience this faith produces. We may therefore view obedience as a metonym. We may view James 3:21 similarly. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" Is obedience a metonym for faith in Genesis 22:18? Then we may also view works as a metonym for faith in James 3:21. This may be a very simple solution to a seemingly complex problem. Understanding this use of language helps us live faithfully and obediently.