James was not ignored - nor is an interpretation proof. You gave your view. We have given ours. From our perspective, Paul has been ignorred while a very narrow interpretation of James has been embraced.
As to your studying Scripture for 2000 years, do not forget that our folks came out of your church by and large. We have the same heritage. When that heritage was clearly deviating from Biblical Christianity, our side made a correction. Yours evidently did as well under Loyola lest you say that there was no correction to be made. And the two streams went drastically opposite ways.
An interesting thing has occurred, Annalex, in the course of this thread. What started as a critique of a movie (a movie, by the way, which was very biblical and shouldn't be labeled unsuitable for children- though I would understand why a parent would want to explain childbirth to a very young child)about the Birth of Christ has gone far from the subject of the thread. In fact, at this point in the thread the subject of "Mary" is really not much of a topic any more. Rather, the thread has narrowed in some aspects to the key reasons that we both feel so passionate about our belief systems. Namely, the nature of salvation.
You see waves in salvation - sometimes you've got it, sometimes you may not. We don't see God working in such a way according to Scripture. Such is not a new phenomena in the history of Catholic/Protestant dialogue. Both of us are taking our stands because we believe that they are right. Both of them can't be. But how can we know? You would differ to the church. But they were mere men. They were highly fallible. So are we. How does one KNOW? Ultimately, it is going to be what/who are you going to place your faith in?
We continue dialoging because we care about the truth and the souls of mankind. But how does one know what is true? Our stand is on Scripture. Yours is on Centuries of Catholic writings/edicts/proclamations and Scripture. How do we know what is right? Just because it is older doesn't mean it is more correct - particularly when the older has controlled the writing of history for most of those centuries. So, ultimately, it boils down to being faithful to seek God in personal Bible study. It doesn't mean the writings of men have no value. But ultimately, it is your contract between you and God. You can't say "the church misled me", nor can I say "Calvin" or "Luther" misled me" It is about knowing WHY you believe what you believe and knowing it personally.
The truth is knowable. We may not get it perfectly in this life because we have limited understanding. But, it is knowable.
2 Timothy says the following:
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Now, you can take that in whatever way you are going to take it. My guess is that you will see us as the ones in the snare of the devil. We would probably look at it in the opposite way. So, both of us feel the other is in error. Nevertheless, there is one thing that we shouldn't miss in all the finger-pointing. No, in fact, two. First, we have a job.
Verse 15 says Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We should spend our time in study of the Word of God, the Word of truth. Why? So that as we go about working for the Lord, we know why we know what we teach. It doesn't mean we will know all things and have answers to everything. But, we should strive to because it honors God.
And, second, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
I take comfort in that because my desire is to love and serve God all of my life. Satan didn't put that desire there. God did. And God knows me. That gives me assurance. And it is an assurance that has withstood some rather large waves indeed. Why? Because I know it is not of me but of the God who died for me and saved me. He is my hope. He alone is my peace.
The Catholic interpretation of James 2 is direct and literal. What he says, we believe: "not by faith alone are ye saved". Nowhere did I disagree or negate St. Paul. I agree with his every word. I am Catholic, remember? In fact, I quote from Paul quite a bit to proof the salvific role of works of love. In fact, is it not Paul who said "greatest of [the theological virtues of hope, faith and love] is love"?
our side made a correction
And now I scripturally corrected your "correction".
But how does one know what is true?
Familiar question. "For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice" (John 18:37). This is what Christ told His disciples: "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you" (John 16:13), and also "the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you" (John 14:26). So what is the truth? The Church is, of course, the "ground and pillar of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15).
We should spend our time in study of the Word of God
As St. Jerome said, ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ. My advice to all Protestants is, study the scripture but do not study it alone. Study it with the fathers of the Church, because in them you have a historical witness of the intended meaning.
Why? Because I know it is not of me but of the God who died for me and saved me. He is my hope. He alone is my peace.
= = =
INDEED.