On Good Works

James 2:17 tells us, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." When Christians feel obligated to do good works, they are crushed by the Law. It is only through viewing good works as part of God's Gospel promise that doing good works is a joyous expression of one's faith. In this new addition to the Theological Commonplaces series, we learn Gerhard's teachings about the etymology and synonyms of the phrase "good works"; the divisions, cause, forms, purpose, necessity, perfection, and merits of good works; second justification through works; and the loss of faith through sins.