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In [[Christianity]] an important [[Hermeneutics|interpretive]] distinction is made between two mutually exclusive Christian views of "works"''':'''

In [[Christianity]] an important [[Hermeneutics|interpretive]] distinction is made between two mutually exclusive Christian views of "works"''':'''

* (1) that of every kind of human effort intended to produce a result by means of the [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]]  

* (1) the view that defines works as every kind of human effort intended to produce a result by means of the [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]]  

* (2) versus the ceremonial ritual works of [[Leviticus|levitical]] sacrifice commanded by the law of Moses as acts of obedient righteousness.  

* (2) versus the view that defines works as the ceremonial ritual works of [[Leviticus|levitical]] sacrifice commanded by the law of Moses as acts of obedient righteousness, in particular, circumcision.  

The divergence between these two [[Semantics|semantical]] understandings of the essential meaning of the word "works" in the Bible has been the cause of much theological contention, leading to both patient [[Christian apologetics|apologetic]] and bitter [[polemic]]. Some interpret faith and works as utterly opposed to each other in [[salvation]]; others interpret them as complimentary, mutually interdependent, and inseparably necessary for salvation.

The divergence between these two [[Semantics|semantical]] understandings of the essential meaning of the word "works" in the Bible has been the cause of much theological contention, leading to both patient [[Christian apologetics|apologetic]] and bitter [[polemic]]. Some interpret faith and works as utterly opposed to each other in [[salvation]]; others interpret them as complimentary, mutually interdependent, and inseparably necessary for salvation.