The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Works of the Law - John Bergsma

Dr. John Bergsma compares the meaning of works of the law in Catholic and Protestant theology, and shows us an unexpected light from the Dead Sea Scrolls on this major Christian controversy.

Protestant: “Works of the Law” are good works, indeed, any human effort to obey God (Martin Luther)
Catholic: “Works of the Law” means obedience to the Old (Mosaic) Covenant, especially its rituals. (St. Tomas Aquinas)
Protestant positions on this can became extreme.

Gal. 2:16: Yet who know that a man is not justified by “Works of the Law” but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by “Works of the Law”, because by “Works of the Law” shall no one be justified.