Merit
Can a good deed earn a reward from God, or does grace only give, never owe wages
Merit is the idea that human acts performed in grace have a value God can reward. Traditions differ on this. Catholic theology affirms merit with careful qualifications, holding that even meritorious acts depend first on God's grace. The Reformers rejected merit as any basis of salvation, insisting salvation is received by grace through faith and never earned. The dispute reaches back through Tertullian, Augustine, and Aquinas.
How it traveled
- The First ApologyRome · 165explains
- Homilies on First CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Timothy, Titus, and PhilemonConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407applies
- A Treatise on the Predestination of the SaintsHippo Regius · 430explains
- A Treatise Against Two Letters of the PelagiansHippo Regius · 430challenges
- The EnchiridionHippo Regius · 430explains
- A Treatise on Grace and Free WillHippo Regius · 430applies
- A Work on the Proceedings of PelagiusHippo Regius · 430applies
- A Treatise on the Grace of Christ, and on Original SinHippo Regius · 430applies
- A Treatise on Rebuke and GraceHippo Regius · 430applies
- Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59)Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on the Angels (qq[50]-64)Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on The One God (QQ[2-26])Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on Man (qq[75]-102)Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90)Paris · 1274explains
- Commentary on GalatiansWittenberg · 1546applies
- Discussion: Third PartWittenberg · 1546challenges
- Discussion: Second PartWittenberg · 1546challenges
- Discussion: First PartWittenberg · 1546redefines
- Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from ItGeneva · 1564redefines
- Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the GospelGeneva · 1564explains
- Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic ChurchGeneva · 1564challenges
- XIV Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvationNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
- a careful and strict inquiry into the prevailing notions of the freedom of willNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
- A History of the Work of RedemptionNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
Key passages(20)
Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the Gospel · John Calvin
Discussion: Third Part · Martin Luther
A Treatise Against Two Letters of the Pelagians · Augustine of Hippo
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
A History of the Work of Redemption · Jonathan Edwards
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Commentary on Galatians · Martin Luther
Discussion: First Part · Martin Luther
Discussion: Second Part · Martin Luther
Discussion: Second Part · Martin Luther
Treatise on The One God (QQ[2-26]) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Angels (qq[50]-64) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Angels (qq[50]-64) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas