Faith v. Works

I've been thinking about the debate of what brings salvation, faith or works. While personally feeling it is a false dichotomy, I decided to do a little bit of looking into it. I found the following:

1. Amongst "Paulian" Christians, there is, especially in recent years, a split concerning the role of faith and works. The classical belief is that faith alone brings salvation, and good works are a bi-product of that. The "New View" on Paul believes that faith brings good works which brings salvation. Those of you who know anything about the LDS faith know that this is hardly a "new" view on Paul.

2. Christ gave many sermons focusing on faith, saying that we should have faith, even if it's like a mustard seed. However, he also said things like only those who do the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of Heaven

3. James is often quoted to advocate works, saying things like, "Faith without works is dead," and, "Shew my thy faith without works, and I shall show ye my faith by my works." Then there's when he said that the devils also believe.

4. Paul is often quoted to advocate faith, saying things along the lines of us being justified by faith and not works.

5. While reading the "Epistle of Paul to the Romans," I realized that in order to believe there really is a dichotomy, you would have to ignore half of what Paul says. In the first two chapters alone, there are at least 5 strong references to salvation by faith, and at least that many for works, as well. In fact, in the 2nd chapter, verses 5-6 and 13, he even says that during the judgment, we will be judged of our deeds (works). He goes on to later say in verses 25-29 of that chapter that circumcision (works of the Jews) is unnecessary.

So, I think it's safe to say that both faith and good works are necessary for salvation, if you believe in harmony in the gospel ("strait is the gate and narrow the way"). Why did Paul speak so forcefully against works and then say that we would be judged of them, that the doer of the law is justified? He must have meant two things by works, and that can be seen by being firm about circumcision being unnecessary.

The Law of Moses needed to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ, being the one who fulfilled the Law and revealed the higher law. After the law was fulfilled, all ordinances necessary for that law were done away with, including circumcision and animal sacrifice. In their places were the sacrament, and other ordinances received by Jesus and his apostles. We need to still be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and do all else that Christ taught, faith being a prerequisite. Believing in a dichotomy puts a schism in the early church and makes Paul and others schizophrenic.