Dawn Wilson Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer 2021 2 Mar The epistle of James was written to encourage readers to live consistently in light of what they say they believe. The text focuses on maturity, character, and the hallmarks of true faith; but this short book has invited considerable controversy through the years. The dispute centers around James 2:14-26, and especially verse 26 that reads, “ faith without deeds (works) is dead.” What Did James Mean by “Faith without Works Is Dead”? In James 2, James refers three times to faith without works being dead faith (James 2:17, 20, 26). John MacArthur describes this as “faith that has no product, that gives no evidence” and he adds, “(I)t is my constant fear, frankly, that many, many people within the framework of Christianity and involved, to one degree or another, in the church possess nothing more than that kind of faith: dead faith.” MacArthur also believes modern evangelism fails to recognize that problem. He referenced the words of Jesus about professing believers who rely on their works to enter the kingdom of heaven—“And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me…” (Matthew 7:21-23). They do not have genuine faith.