Is there tension between what Paul and James teach?

The argument that Paul makes in these passages is justification by works verses justification by faith (grace). Paul uses Abraham as a basis for his contrast between these two beliefs. I particularly like what Thomas Schreiner says,

“Now in salvation history the saving righteousness of God has been manifested
apart from the works of the law.”

Paul could build his case by using two prominent figures from the Old Testament, Abraham and David. Paul contrasts Abraham’s righteousness to his faith, not by his works. Douglas Moo puts this into a better way of understanding this passage. Works creates an obligation to the one who is working. For example, as an employee we work for our reward of a paycheck and our employer is now obligated to present you your wages for the obligation of you working for them. The problem with this is God is not obligated to anyone. He cannot be under obligation to any human being. Now the flip side is faith. It is by faith that we humbly accept this gift which then brings us under obligation to God for this gift of faith by grace. My conclusion or interpretation is that this passage brings us into the fullness of God’s plan for our salvation and clarifies what needs to be done for us to receive salvation. That it is only available by faith and you cannot work your way into heaven.[1]
The last area to look at is the contrast between Romans 3 and 4 and James 2. James, in the previous chapters, has already acknowledged the saved by faith principle. I personally do not feel that there is any contention between what Paul has written and what James has written. John MacArthur has a great commentary on this area of James. James is not talking about saving works here. He is referring to faith is living or dead. This tests our actual faith in God and if we are obeying God’s word. The works to which he is referring to is demonstrating a Godly nature? James is not disputing the importance of faith he is merely showing that saving faith can be just an intellectual exercise, which would be missing the key ingredient of actively obeying God’s word. James is showing us that there are two types of faith, living faith that saves and dead faith that doesn’t. [2]

1 Moo, Douglas J. Encountering The Book of Romans. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002. (pg. 93)
2MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005. (pg. 1187, 1888)