-=Justification part II - Catholic dialogue on justification=-

Didn't works of the law include obeying God and loving one's neighbor as oneself?  How can these works be excluded from the law?  Paul appears to teach that no works at all will justify before God.

To the contrary, Paul was saying that seeking justification by way of the Mosaic System was impossible. Abraham, who was before the Mosaic System, was justified by works (Jas 2:21) -- not being under the Mosaic Contract. Rahab, who was before the Mosaic System, was justified by works (James 2:25) -- again, not being under the Mosaic Contract. So, again, you see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone (Jas 2:24).

Scripture distinguishes between the regulations and the 2 greatest commandments, with a little searching around the NT writings.  The New Covenant Contract was a modification of the Old Contract.  Modifications of Mosaic Law included some of the following:

(1) the Deuteronomy 27:26 "curse of the Mosaic Law" is abolished under the Christic Legal System (Gal 3:10-13) 

(2) the Mosaic ceremonial and temple rites are done away (Col 2:14-17; Eph 2:14-18; Matt 12:1-7; Matt 15:15-20; Mk 7:14-15; John 4:21-23; Mark 13:1-4,30)

(3) the principle of God's laws through Moses are to be applied and fully observed, and not a tortured application of the letter of Mosaic law (2 Cor 3:6, 1 Tim 1:8-10; Rom13:8-10; Rom 8:4; Rom 2:13)

(4) Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 are the two greatest of the Mosaic laws from which all judicial observance must flow under the New Covenant contract (Lk 10:27)

When Paul says that belief is what brings justification, even to a person who does not work (Romans 4:3), how can you argue that justification is then by faith and works?

By interpreting James 2 in light of Romans 4.  Paul is pointing out that Abraham was justified even though he lived PRIOR TO the Mosaic Covenant. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law [of Moses] (Rom 3:28). Abraham is the example of a man justified without Moses, and he was justified by works (Jas 2:21) -- but NOT by the works of the Law [of Moses].

In addition, Paul is very clear that ONLY the doers of some law will be justified (Rom 2:13). Which law system? He specifies that justification is by the law system that is "written on hearts" (Rom 2:15) -- i.e., the New Covenant law (see 2 Cor 3:3,6,9).  And this faith is a living one, not a dead one - one that is evidenced in works (James 2:17-26)

Paul wasn't just condemning works done without grace; he was also condemning any system that added works to the Gospel of justification through faith alone (Galatians 1:6-9, 3:3).

They were adding the Mosaic law to the gospel and thus nullifying it.  There is no "faith alone" teaching in the bible. The only "faith alone" teaching is mentioned by James, who writes, "you see that a man is justified by works and NOT by faith alone" (Jas 2:24).

In Galatians, Paul is writing concerning those Judaizers that believed justification was only by the Mosaic system, the one "added 430 years after Abraham" (Gal 3:17). The Judaizers were trying to keep all justified by that system (Acts 15:5). Paul makes it perfectly clear that one could not be justified under that Mosaic System,

"for as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, 'cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law [of Moses], to perform them'" (Gal 3:10, NASB).

 

Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.' (Deut 27:26, NASB)

So the promises that the Iraelites failed to keep bound them to a curse when they agreed to keep them.  That curse is a curse particular to the Mosaic Contract, which was specifically removed by Christ:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, " CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--  (Gal 3:13).

The Galatians did not believe that works of the Mosaic system only were bringing justification. They were combining it with faith and it��s clear how Paul viewed this addition of works to faith to bring justification before God (Galatians 3:1).

Rather, they were saying that Christians must conform to all the customs of Moses to be saved (Acts 15:1,5)--especially circumcision. Without this, the Judaizers believed none would be justified.

Since works of the law include every work possible, Paul is anathematizing those who add any works to the faith which justifies sinners before God.

Paul's anathema is not against all works, but the works the Judaizers said were essential to the Old contract (Acts 15:1,5) -- especially circumcision. Paul's argument is that the Mosaic contract, by requiring perfect obedience under threat of a curse (Deut 27:26/Gal 3:10), actually cursed all those under that system and prevented justification. That covenant also lacked the efficacious blood of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Spirit. The contract was inadequate, and seeking to be justified under that system was damning. The curse was upon them.

And for sure, God's judgment of men is "according to their deeds".

And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades  gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. (Rev 20:12-13)

Furthermore, the New Testament authors affirm that only the DOERS of God's law will be justified and have eternal life:

St. Paul's on good works:

God "will give to each person according to what he has done."  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Rom 2:6-7,13)

Gospel writers Luke, John, and particularly Matthew speak of the need for good works. 

In addition, both Paul and James point to God's declaration of that event in Abraham's life (Rom 4:3; Jas 2:21-23). Abraham was justified, and was so apart from--and prior to--the Law of Moses. That's the whole point. Paul is trying to show them that such is not only possible, but essential.

Faith alone is affirmed in many passages (Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Philippians 3:9, Romans 4:3, Mark 2:5, Genesis 15:6, Acts 10:44-48, etc.).

Faith is affirmed, but not "faith alone." In fact, the only place that even mentions "faith alone" reads as follows: "you see that a man is justified by works and NOT by faith alone" (Jas 2:24). James shows that any mere mental assent to God is not faith at all. Such "faith" is "dead," and is the "faith of devils" (Jas 2:19).

They were seeking justification by the Mosaic Covenant. That was their error. Paul was not rejecting good works, but rather justification by the Mosaic Legal System, which was the Judaizers' gospel (Acts 15:1,5). Attempts at justification by that system nullified Christ. Good works under the New Covenant do not. As Paul said,

"...God...will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life... (Rom 2:5-7)

-=What about Deuteronomy 6:5 or Leviticus 19:34?=-

Obedience to those commands are necessary for eternal life. They are part of the New Covenant Law. Jesus plainly taught works as ESSENTIAL for eternal life:

Matthew 19:16-17 - ...what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ... if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Luke 10:25-28 - ...Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Christ taught obedience to the commands for salvation, as I clearly demonstrated.  Paul, along with Jesus and James, plainly taught the necessity of good works for justification and eternal life.

Romans 2:6-7 - God...will render to each according to his deeds, to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life

Romans 2:13 - ...but the doers of the Law will be justified

-=Paul was merely following Christ's teaching=-

Matthew 19:16-17 - ...what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ... if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Luke 10:25-28 - ...Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Thus...

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. (1 John 3:18) 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. (Gal 5:6)