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Jumpstarter 4 of 10

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Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up  /  Chapter 6: What They Believed About Salvation  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 4
Several writers speak of God “render[ing] to every man according to his work,” people being “deemed worthy,” and “deserv[ing] well of God the Judge”—what picture of God’s character and judgment emerges from those statements, and how does it compare to the emotional tone many modern Christians attach to “judgment according to works”?
Another way to ask: These writers say God judges people “according to their works” and that some are “worthy.” What kind of God and judgment do those words picture, and how does that compare to how many Christians feel when they hear “judgment by works” today?

Direct Answer The transcript presents God as a righteous Judge who truly evaluates obedience and assigns reward or punishment “according to works,” without that canceling grace. Compared to many modern emotional reactions (panic or denial), Bercot says early Christians combined seriousness with a non-morbid confidence for obedient believers.

Support from Transcript:

  • Clement of Rome cites the Lord: “to render to every man according to his work,” with “reward… before his face.”
  • Justin says God “accepts only those who imitate the virtues that reside in him,” and the worthy are “delivered from corruption and suffering.”
  • Hippolytus: Jesus “assigns to each what is righteous according to his works… eternal happiness” for those who “have done well,” “eternal punishment” for lovers of wickedness.
  • Cyprian speaks of “God the Judge” and says, “There is need of righteousness so one may deserve well of God.”
  • Bercot notes some may think this produces insecurity, but says “that’s not the case” and compares it to an obedient son not living in “constant morbid dread.”
Discussion Follow-ups Why do you think “judgment according to works” often sounds like bad news today? What would it take to recover the early Christians’ mix of sobriety and peace?

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