On Good Works: Theological Commonplaces

In this commonplace On Good Works, Johann Gerhard explores the proper place of good works in the life of a Christian, emphasizing that good works do not make a Christian righteous and saved, but they show that the person has become righteous and saved. Gerhard’s most significant interaction is with the Roman Catholic combination of God’s grace and human merit as contributing to salvation. His primary Catholic opponent, Robert Bellarmine, as well as the Council of Trent, sought to emphasize grace while still defending the idea that eternal life is given as wages owed to human good works. Although good works are necessary for many reasons (with respect to God, our neighbor, and ourselves), they are not necessary for salvation. Only Christ’s merit imputed to believers saves. Christians can and do perform good works, though these are imperfect and do not merit salvation. Gerhard also engages the Calvinist view that once a person is saved nothing can cause salvation to be lost. He clearly articulates the Lutheran understanding that neglect of good works and willful sin will cast out faith and cause loss of salvation.