"Works of the Law" in Catholic tradition. 

The question being discussed in the video is what the Catholic tradition thinks Paul means when he talks about "works of the law." The question about what James means when he talks about works, and the question about how to reconcile James and Paul, are both separate. From the view of Thomas Aquinas, James isn't saying that a person is justified before God by their works, but that works are the evidence and manifestation of our justification. I'm personally not convinced that Aquinas is correct there. If you want to know how I would reconcile James and Paul, I have other videos on that subject. Check them out, especially the two that talk about "the dialectical of salvation."

@@taylorbarrett384 initial Justification isn't something you can work for. Abraham was Justified 3 times in Scripture in Hebrews 11:8 was his first Justification it was by Grace alone, in Roman 4:3 which quotes Genesis 15:6 in the old Testament context Abraham was Justified by Good works. His good works were he rescued his nephew Lot and gave alms to the priest of Melchizedek. An further Justified in James 2:24 Being made Righteous(Latin) and being made Justified(German) mean the same thing. The stupidity of the protestant reformation was splitting up sanctification and Justification were there is no division

@@DanielWard79 That Abraham was justified throughout his life, at times by works, is true. It's not true, however, that the justification of Abraham in Romans 4:3 was by works. No, that was by faith. "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Neither righteous nor justified are Latin or German. They are both English, and both synonyms for the Greek "dikaosyne" word group, which is translated as either justice, justified, righteous, etc, depending on context. While justification involves sanctification and sanctification increases justification, there is a distinction between them, and a very important one at that.

@@taylorbarrett384 Why didn't Paul quote from Genesis 12 in Romans when Abraham was first saved? Between Genesis 12 and Genesis 15:6 Abraham did works of obedience can you agree with that? It would certainly make logical sense Paul was simply quoting from a time before circumcision since 95% of Pauls arguments in the New Testament appears to be against circumcision

@@DanielWard79 Probably because Paul isn't thinking about justification the way that James did, as in, something that can grow and increase, but rather, as a rock bottom yes or no reality that is determined by faith or no faith. But thats actually irrelevant anyways. Paul specifically says Abraham was justified by faith and not by works when he quotes Genesis 15. And that's what Genesis 15 says.

Are you asking me the difference between the Catholic and Protestant interpretation of "works" in Romans/Galatians, or are you asking me about the difference between Catholics and Protestants when it comes to our understanding of works in regards systemic theology? Or both?

@@taylorbarrett384 I guess both. Just to reconcile the differences. I understand the initial justification part but not with the ongoing understanding of works. So yes, I guess i don't understand the meaning of works in both doctrines.

lol where

No I haven't read it. I don't have much thoughts for that reason. Though I generally like what Ybarra has to say. On this specific issue though he sometimes doesn't go far enough, in my opinion, when it comes to affirming certain aspects of the doctrine/text(s) that have become associated with "the Protestant view." I'm thinking here of things like Simul Justus Et Peccator, Sola Fide for final judgement and not only initial justification, and justification by faith apart from Baptism.