That’s NOT in context — couched in the whole, James is teaching that works are a result of faith — if we’re cherry-picking, let’s look a little farther up in the chapter:
James 2:18 “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Faith is evidenced by works.
You started with Romans 2:6. Try backing up to the first verse; Paul is addressing the issue of judgment. The scripture says nothing about works of any sort being salvific. There is NO salvation apart from saving faith in Jesus Christ. You can do all the good works you want to do — as often as you desire — and they mean not one whit in terms of your salvation.
One of Paul’s points in Romans is that the Law is there to point to our need of Christ and his saving grace; we cannot uphold the law in any way. So, if upholding the Law can’t save us, how can works? They cannot. But, because we are saved, our hearts are changed and we want to do things (works) that are pleasing to the Lord. Evidence of faith. Not salvation in works themselves.
Again, re-read all of chapter 3.
Did Abraham’s works save him? No, his faith did (see chapter 4). Chapter 5 talks of peace with God through faith... I don’t see anything about works causing us to be saved.
Down in Romans 10 we find:
vv.8-12 : “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.”
If given the choice between God’s Word and the teaching of the Catholic Church, I will also go with God each and every time.
Hoss
That's not scripture, that's spin. When a passage of a dozen verses directly addressing the interrelation between works and faith, concludes "Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?" -- I tend to think that St. James meant what he wrote, and not what you imagine he meant and did not say. I go with God every time, -- I am Catholic.
It is true, of course, that works are visible and faith by itself is not. We don't need a gospel to figure that out.
Paul is addressing the issue of judgment. The scripture says nothing about works of any sort being salvific.
Again, spin, and even the spin you offer makes no sense. Of course the issue is judgement: this is when one is saved. St. Paul says that one who does good work gets eternal life, and one who does not, wrath and indignation. Sounds like salvation to me. St. Paul does nothing here, of course other than repeats in condensed form what Christ teaches in Matthew 25.
There are many passages in the Scripture that call people to faith and promise salvation as a result. You pointed out Romans 5 and 10, there are others. But not says that faith ALONE saves, -- that is because Luther's theological fantasies are sucked out of his thumb. Faith alone is contrary to the scripture.