Questions tagged [works]
Relating to actions or deeds and their relationship with, and place in, Christian life and soteriology
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What is the Catholic Church's position on neglecting works of the law?
The common Catholic apologetic against sola fide is that St. Paul was talking about "Works of the Law", so assuming Catholics don't believe that works of the law save someone why are there ...
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Is going to confession considered "good work" in the faith vs. work distinction in justification?
A comment by a Catholic in a discussion with a Protestant about faith vs. good works startled me:
Catholics would consider going to Confession to be a work. It's a specific act you need to do. We don'...
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How do New Perspective proponents respond to Robert Cara's 3 critiques on NPP?
A Gospel Coalition short essay (Justification and the New Perspective on Paul) by Robert J. Cara, author of the 2017 book Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul: Covenantal Nomism ...
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What basis could there be for an 18th century Christian to say that "Gnostics were the Antinomians of their day"?
I read that claim in an article written by A.M. Toplady (reproduced in a 2020 Christian magazine.) Toplady (1740-1778) did not go on to give his reasons for that claim, apart from adding, "An ...
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Author of the "Imperfect Work" and Where to Find a Copy of It
In the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori, e.g., Dignity and Duties of the Priest, he often makes mention of the author of the "Imperfect Work" without saying who this author is.
I suspect ...
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Is faith in Christ something you have forever or do you have to work at it every day to keep it strong? [closed]
What do the scriptures say about maintaining your faith in Christ? I know in Mormonism they teach that it's something you have to work at every day and slacking off can lead you to lose your faith and ...
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What has changed that cloistered catholic monks (as communities) are not advancing technical sciences and engineering today?
Cistercians and other catholic monks are notorious for the introduction of the advancements in technical sciences and agriculture in the Medieval ages. But I recently saw movie about Athon monks (...
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Why is faith the quality that God chooses to reward?
Assuming
that faith in Christ is what gives sinners access to grace and salvation, and
that faith is necessary because the alternative (knowing God) would leave no room to actually measure our ...
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Did the Jansenists deny the gratuity of grace?
Did the Jansenists deny the gratuity of grace? That is, did they think praying more or doing more works of supererogation could always coerce God into granting them more grace, not that God grants or ...
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Seeking a Catholic framework for interpreting Bible verses about God's rewards that are commensurate with a believer's work [closed]
In the Bible there are passages hinting at optional extra rewards that God promises to believers who perform meritorious works on earth. I'm referring to different degrees of rewards that God gives ...
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How do Protestants explain the relationship between justification and the works of the servants in the Parable of the Talents?
This is not the question 'What does the Parable of the Talents mean according to Protestantism,' but a question specifically regarding the nature of the 'wicked' servant, and how it corresponds to his ...
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How do Protestants interpret "covers a multitude of sins" (James 5:19)?
In the New Testament, in James 5:19-20, we read:
My brethren, if anyone one of you strays from the way of truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that whoever turns back a sinner from the ...
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What is an overview of Protestant explanations of the difference between dead faith and perfect faith in James 2?
In James 2:17-22 (KJV) it reads:
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, ...
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Is the choice, or decision, to accept Salvation through Jesus Christ a Work?
While reviewing the superb answers to this question about free will, I was inspired to leave a comment for Ian that I realized ought to be its own question.
As I understand (and possibly ...
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How do "faith alone" proponents interpret James 2:24? [duplicate]
James 2:24 (KJV)
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.
How do Protestants who believe in faith alone interpret James 2:24? And if they believe in sola ...
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Where did the formula, "Good works are the fruits of faith," originate?
A previous question of mine, "What is the biblical basis for the belief that good works are the fruits of faith?" provides examples of Protestant faith statements using the formula, "good works are ...
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Do good works always express saving faith in Christ, even when that faith is not explicit?
My understanding of the Catholic view on the relationship between faith and works is that faith and works are inseparable. Which is to say that true faith will always find expression in works, and ...
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How is the 'New Perspective on Paul' different from Catholicism with respect to good works?
Does both the views of the New Perspective on Paul and Catholicism define 'good works' similarly? What is the role of good works towards salvation according to these perspectives?
If there are ...
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What is the biblical basis for the belief that good works are the fruits of faith?
It is common for Protestant doctrinal statements to say that good works are the fruits of faith. For example:
We confess that good works are necessary fruits of faith in the life of a Christian and ...
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How does "believe that you have received it" practice in the Christian life?
in Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever
you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will
be yours.
What is the catholic interpretation of the verse? The reason I'm ...
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How do those who believe in a works or works + faith based salvation interpret Jesus' words to the criminal in Luke 23:43? [closed]
Luke 23:39-43 tells of Jesus' interaction with the two criminals being crucified on either side of him:
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save ...
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If faith without deeds, or actions, is dead, then what are these concrete actions?
I have been very concerned lately with James 2, starting with verse 14, especially with actions related to faith:
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't ...
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Why is our righteousness as filthy rags? [closed]
I want to know why man's righteousness is as filthy rags, especially as it relates to the idea of works righteousness, or earning one's own salvation. Is it because humans are incapable of offering up ...
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May Christians work while fasting? [closed]
Is there a Christians (preferably protestant) viewpoint that you may not work while fasting?
A while back I talked to a guy that told me you may not work while fasting and quoted a few verses to make ...
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What is the Calvinist perspective on John 5:28–29 in regard to earning salvation?
John 5:28–29 seems to teach salvation by works:
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the ...
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Does human effort oppose God's grace? [closed]
A pastor in my church once told me that "human effort does not oppose God's grace", I.E. to say, as long as you do your best (which is impossible to attain, but you try any way), God will indeed do ...
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Do people who commit "major" sins after accepting Jesus go to Heaven? [closed]
This question is meant for Protestants. In many mainstream Protestant denominations that I have heard of, it seems to me clear that once you really accept Jesus' free gift on the cross as payment for ...
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Is salvation acheived by faith alone, or does it in fact require some works?
I was raised a Lutheran, and am looking for an answer from someone (like a Lutheran) who believes in salvation by grace alone (by faith alone, etc.). I still believe in salvation by faith alone ...
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How are the teachings in the Book of James consistent with Salvation by Grace alone?
I was reading through James today and I understand his point was to convey to the Jews that only having faith - but not showing your gratitude for the grace they've received - is not good. He does get ...
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Salvation by good works alone?
Is the idea of salvation by works alone considered by any branch of Christianity? Consider a person one would describe as good or doing a lot of good, but who doesn't believe in the supernatural. Like ...
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In any of James's passages, does he agree to the law being cursed and abrogated?
From what I understand, early on there was a disagreement between James (who is said to be the brother of Jesus and the leader of the early Christian movement) and Paul, the latter saying that the law ...
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Is Catholicism a "works" denomination?
Catholicism venerates people's works as that is the only way to become a saint - you actually have to DO something.
I understand that there has been a strong debate regarding faith or works (or ...
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What is the biblical basis for concluding that 'all moral works' done without grace are sinful?
Jonathan Edwards, a renowned Christian thinker and past president of Princeton University said:
So long as men are in their natural state, they not only have no good thing, but it is impossible ...
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Three Views on Salvation, Faith, and Works [closed]
Are the following three interpretations correct?
Salvation by Works:
You claim Jesus is Savior + Lord. Then you do works. When your works hit a certain level, you are saved.
Salvation by Faith:
You ...
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How do opponents respond to the Grace Gambit?
You might be familiar with Pascal's Wager, also known as Pascal's Gambit. It states that one is best off believing in Christianity, because, if it is true, you'll be saved and go to heaven, and if it ...
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How do those who believe in salvation by grace, and in works being the fruit of salvation, explain Galatians 6:8-9?
My understanding of the relationship between works and salvation is that works are the inevitable fruit of salvation by grace (1 John 3:6, Matthew 7:16-18). And my understanding of perseverance is ...
user971
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Is there a significant difference between salvation by faith with works and salvation by faith and works? [closed]
I used to think that sola fide meant salvation by faith irrespective of works. Then I started reading about it and realized it means salvation by faith with works.
Works are necessary for salvation ...
user23
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Are questions that begin "Is it ok to ___" of primary theological importance? [closed]
Questions that begin "Is it ok to _" are often asked and I believe it is helpful to ask "how now shall we live?". However, from a theological standpoint are these questions of primary importance when ...
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Is righteousness a prerequisite for salvation? [closed]
James 2:24 NIV
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
In James we are told that a person would be considered righteous by their deeds and not just ...
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Is it a sin to do "works" for the sake of "rewards" in heaven? [closed]
I was reading up on an article that was talking about rewards in heavens. Then it struck me, is it a sin to do "works" for the sake of "rewards" in heaven ?
What does the Bible have to say regarding ...
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How does Matthew 25:31-46 ("The Sheep and the Goats") reconcile with salvation by faith?
In Matthew 25:31-46 (a passage subtitled "The Sheep and the Goats" in the NIV), Jesus seems to be drawing a direct relationship between good works and salvation.
Matthew 25:31-46 NIV:
31 “...
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Does believing in Jesus Christ save me, or do I have to do something more? [closed]
James 2:17 says that faith is not enough. Does that apply to salvation? Is belief (or faith) in Jesus Christ enough to be saved, or is one expected to act on that faith? If works are required for ...
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