Romans Audio, part 2, 2009

At first glance, it may seem that there are a number of contradictions in the Bible with regards to faith and actions. On the one hand, Paul says, "God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:22) and then he points to Abraham as being put right with God by his faith. But then Paul would say, "For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands" (Romans 2:13), and in the book of James we read, "How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions...." (James 2:21). Is this emphasis on actions what led Luther to say that James was "A letter written in straw"? How do we reconcile these verses?

Much of the Bible study was spent discussing Paul's description of the Gentiles who know nothing of the law, but yet, "Whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law....Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts." (Romans 2:14,15). Is there a way to salvation other than through Jesus Christ? Can the "heathen" be saved?