A Problem of the Reformed Gospel as Eisegesis of Passages in the Letters of Paul and James.

James 2:24 teaches man is justification by works and not by faith alone, which according to Reformers means justification by faith alone, or in turn means justification by faith apart from works of the law. For according to the Reformers, the gospel is justification by faith alone. So St Paul's gospel in his letters must be complementary to the gospel taught by St James. Therefore, both St Paul and St James teach justification by faith alone. So the key texts of St Paul and St James have either the same or complementary meaning.

Romans 3:28 - For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law.

Galatians 2:15 - yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness [faith in] of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8 -For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

According to the Reformers, the above three verses mean St Paul taught justification by faith alone. Faith is then not a work of the law, and not a work. Or in summary, the Reformed doctrines (R) are -

1) Justification is not by works (R).

2) Justification is by faith alone (R).

James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

According to the Reformers, the above verse in James (J) is compatible with St Paul's gospel of justification by faith alone.

1) Justification is not by works (R). 
Justification is by works (J).

2) Justification is by faith alone (R).
Justification is not by faith alone (J).

So according to the reformation, not by works and by works are compatible, or the same. And by faith alone and not by faith alone are compatible, or the same.

Conclusion - The Reformers have to conclude that 1) James wrote James 2 to teach justification by faith alone, even though James 2 says justification is by works and not by faith alone. 2) Paul wrote several letters which never use the phrase "faith alone", but yet Paul taught justification by faith alone.

The above two affirmations of the Reformers are only assertions based upon the eisegesis of several biblical passages.