Talk:Good works

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What are Good Works?[edit]

I think the definition in the Lead, while not being wrong, misses an important aspect.

Catholics, and presumably other denominations, make motive the central aspect of Good Works: they are works done out of charity. The same act done as an act of justice (because it is your duty, such as paying fair wages), or from fear or compulsion or ceremony, rather than as an act of charity (i.e., where faith/grace enables it) is not co-salvific or meritorious.

I am not sure whether to just improve the Catholic section in this regard, or to improve the Lead (eg by adding a parenthetical "of Charity" to "works" somehow?) Rick Jelliffe (talk) 17:04, 16 September 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@Rick Jelliffe:, I think that, in Catholic theology, works are only necessary to back up faith, but not necessary in themselve. Maybe the catholic section can be refined regarding this aspect, stating that salvation by work was an historical trend (which lead to the Reformation), but that later the topic was re-explained in the Council_of_Trent#Objectives_and_overall_results (see. point 4, and decrees).

Besides, there is an aspect that is not explicitly sourced by the article : the distinction between faith and works made in the lead.

Note : terms like "good" or "meritorious" work can imply a participation to salvation provision, or can simply mean an adequate action that is not a participation to salvation provision. Because it's so easy to misunderstand what is meant, it is useful to give some details. ---Telikalive (talk) 19:06, 16 September 2023 (UTC)[reply]