[annalex]

James obviously believed that faith came first and true faith produced works

Obviously he did not. Works show faith because they are the tangible part of faith, not because they mysteriously "follow" it.

To insinuate that all Protestants have dead faith

I did not. I know Protestants who have true faith, but then their faith is, a working, Catholic faith. What I did say, and I repeat, is that Protestant faith as described by Protestants themselves, faith without works, is dead faith, and the Holy Bible is with me on that. Luckily, some Protestants avoid the traps that their charlatan leaders set for them.

[metmom]

And James also says this...

James 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

But I don't recall any Catholics posting the rest of the passage in their bid to try to justify claiming works is needed for salvation. Cherry picking Scripture is dangerous. Now people are being led to think that salvation is attained by working for it, when Scripture never says that.

Galatians 2:15-26 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

[CynicalBear]

>>Works show faith because they are the tangible part of faith, not because they mysteriously "follow" it.<<

Do you not realize what you just said there? You just said “works show faith”. Now, who in their right mind wouldn’t think that the faith must have come first? And that is exactly what we have been saying all along!

[HarleyD]

I know Protestants who have true faith, but then their faith is, a working, Catholic faith.

As Augustine quoted the scripture:

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Less we be puffed up with pride, our good works have been prepared before the foundation of the world for us to do. Good works is evidence of our salvation. They are works of God given to us. If you doubt this, then the next time you drop funds into the offering, ask yourself where did those funds truly come from.

Psa_73:28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.