No, I do not think the Pharisees had true faith, nor did they love.
Matt. 23:13 : "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."
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FK: "How else does Eph. 2:8-9 make sense? Haven't you said yourself that everything comes from God?"
Yes, it comes from God - but requires our cooperation for it to take place.
So the Catholic interpretation of Eph. 2:8-9 is: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith plus cooperation -- and this is mostly not from yourselves, it is partly a gift of God, - not by works for pay, so that no one can boast." :)
FK: "In James, it specifically notes a man who "SAYS" he has faith. Anyone can say that.
Take note of that. Anyone can say they are of the elect, also.
Well, if you admit that a person can falsely claim faith, then doesn't that wipe out your proof from James above?
It should be quite evident that a person can have LOTS of faith, but have no love. This makes that faith worthless. Can't you see there is an interaction between faith and love? Faith without love is dead.
I suppose this means that I have no idea what you say faith really is. I have just never heard of the concept being split up like this.
They certainly had faith in God and His existence. They were very aware of the Scriptures. And they directed their lives around trying to please God - thus, they did good deeds. They had faith, but it was a loveless faith, it was a faith that was not internalized.
So the Catholic interpretation of Eph. 2:8-9 is: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith plus cooperation -- and this is mostly not from yourselves, it is partly a gift of God, - not by works for pay, so that no one can boast." :)
Well, there isn't an official Catholic interpretation on this verse. However, based on my knowledge of the totality of the faith, I view this as such: We are called to obey God. God enables us to do it. He gives us the necessary gifts. He teaches us how to do it. He gives us His Spirit to HELP us choose the good. Thus, God is absolutely essential in our lives - we can only please God through faith. Thus, no one can boast of their OWN ability that came WITHOUT God. Everything we give to God, any act of love, etc., is a result of God's work within us. But we must be careful to balance this with the idea that God gives man free will to REJECT His grace. That is why Scriptures constantly urge men to CHOOSE life. To OBEY the Commandments. And to not allow God's Grace to fall in vain.
Here is a good verse that shows BOTH concepts. I believe that Protestantism only concentrates on the "either God does everything or man does everything". "by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace towards me was not in vain, for I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor 15:10
See the interaction? See that we are a result of God's Grace? But see also how Paul notes that God's gifts were not wasted! It was not in vain! Doesn't this presuppose that man CAN ALLOW God's grace to fall in vain? Even a "saved" person?
What about this one?
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that didst kill the prophets and stone those who are sent unto thee, how often I desired to gather thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!" Mat 23:37
Isn't it clear that God is PINING for us? That God greatly desires us? He gives us so many gifts to come to Him, to choose Him. And yet, many still refuse. "And ye would not!" I hear exasperation in that voice. Frustration. But does this mean that God's will is frustrated? NOT if His will is for us to come to Him in love. Love cannot be forced. It is God's will that man choose Him freely.
Well, if you admit that a person can falsely claim faith, then doesn't that wipe out your proof from James above?
How? You are presuming that the person is falsely claiming faith, when in actuality, the person is mis-informed of his idea of what faith IS. An incorrect idea of faith will lead a person to "falsely" claim faith - which James sets about to correct. Faith comes with ethical teachings that we are bound to hold.
I suppose this means that I have no idea what you say faith really is. I have just never heard of the concept being split up like this.
Well, can a person be saved without love? If a man's faith does not include love, what good is it? It is dead. Catholics do not separate the two. I am using these Scriptures to illustrate what happens when you say "faith alone - without works of love".
Regards