A. The words Arminian and Arminianism come from Jacobus (or James) Arminius (also known as Jacob Harmensen or Hermansz), a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560 to 1609. Arminius studied at the University of Leiden and in Geneva under Theodore Beza (or Bèze), John Calvin’s successor.
Archives
Q. Why does James say, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only”? (James 2:24). This seems to directly contradict Paul’s teaching that we are justified by faith.
A. In James 2:21, James says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” But Paul, in Romans 4:1-5 says,
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.