A Discussion on and Study of The Heidelberg Catechism

[Missionary Joshua]

This is going to be a multi-part discussion and study of one of the earliest of the Reformed Confessions/Catechisms. One of the awesome things about the Heidelberg Catechism is that it was written for children. I really enjoy the simplicity of the question and answer style. And that it is set up so that you can use it for yearly sermons as it is divided up into 52 Lords day sections. Hence the You can find the complete Catechism here:

Will post later...

1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?

1. A. That I am not my own,[1] but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,[2] to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[3] He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.[5] He also preserves me in such a way[6] that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;[7] indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.[8] Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life[9] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.[10]

[1] I Cor. 6:19, 20 [2] Rom. 14:7-9. [3] I Cor. 3:23; Tit. 2:14. [4] I Pet. 1:18, 19; I John 1:7; 2:2. [5] John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14, 15; I John 3:8. [6] John 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; II Thess. 3:3; I Pet. 1:5. [7] Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18. [8] Rom. 8:28. [9] Rom. 8:15, 16; II Cor. 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14. [10] Rom. 8:14.

2. Q. What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

2. A. First, how great my sins and misery are;[1] second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery;[2] third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.[3]

[1] Rom. 3:9, 10; I John 1:10. [2] John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 10:43. [3] Matt. 5:16; Rom. 6:13; Eph. 5:8-10; I Pet. 2:9, 10.

 

[Missionary Joshua]

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[Missionary Joshua]

One of the very interesting things about the Heidelberg Catechism is that is very anti-individualistic, which is interesting because we Americans associate individualism with our apparent "Christian roots". I like the Heidelberg because it flies in the face of what humanism teaches and sticks to what the bible has to say...

Thoughts?

 

[kenrapoza]

I've found the first question of this catechism to be a scource of great comfort (no pun intended) and assurance. It is a remarkably succint summary of the gospel. I think every Christian should have at least this memorized. I've also noticed that the HC tends to be a little more devotionally oriented than the WLC in that it seems to focus more, at least at the beginning, on the meaning of the gospel for our lives.

I agree that the HC is not individualistc but reflects the fact that we are a redeemed covenant community, not individual cowboy Christians with our own agendas and privatized set of theological beliefs.

 

[Missionary Joshua]

I've found the first question of this catechism to be a scource of great comfort (no pun intended) and assurance. It is a remarkably succint summary of the gospel. I think every Christian should have at least this memorized. I've also noticed that the HC tends to be a little more devotionally oriented than the WLC in that it seems to focus more, at least at the beginning, on the meaning of the gospel for our lives.

I agree that the HC is not individualistc but reflects the fact that we are a redeemed covenant community, not individual cowboy Christians with our own agendas and privatized set of theological beliefs.

It is written and divided up to be preached each Sunday as well as written for Children for Catechism class. I chose the HC because of that, and it is more widely accepted than the Westminster Confession of Faith which is what I personally subscribe to while finding zero fault with the HC.

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.http://www.christianforums.com/#_ftn1 http://www.christianforums.com/#_ftnref1The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001). 1 Co 6:19-20.



It is very cool to realize that we are temples for the Holy Spirit, who not only revives us but sustains us as well.

What does Q1 and 2 help us understand God and ourselves?

 

[JSGuitarist]

It is written and divided up to be preached each Sunday as well as written for Children for Catechism class. I chose the HC because of that, and it is more widely accepted than the Westminster Confession of Faith which is what I personally subscribe to while finding zero fault with the HC.

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001). 1 Co 6:19-20.



It is very cool to realize that we are temples for the Holy Spirit, who not only revives us but sustains us as well.

What does Q1 and 2 help us understand God and ourselves?

Question 1:
1 Corinthians 3:23 (NIV) - "...and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God." Yesterday I talked about the Trinity to a small group of people, and it makes me think of that connection again. We can worship and serve Christ knowing that He is God, and of Him. This gives us the assurance of our salvation.
Romans 14:7-9 comment - In no state of existence does God forget His children. We belong to God before and after death, and grace allows that whether we live or die, it is to Him and His glory. This verse shows too that even those who died before He came, they belong to Him too. 1 Peter 1:18 and 19 bring realization of just how much God wanted us; that we were bought with the blood of the King. Christ could have left us as slaves whom He rightfully purchased, but made us more.
It describes the Christian life well when it says that because the Holy Spirit gives us salvation, we are willing and able to live for God. That is a work of the Holy Spirit.

Question 2:
You can almost think of this statement as being in three separate stages. Before you are saved, you're in the first one; when you are in the act of being saved, you're in the second; when you have been saved, you are in the third. Oftentimes we forget that if we claim to have been saved, it's time for the fruit to start showing. Is the light showing? Have we stopped offering ourselves as instruments to sin? Does it show that we have been brought out of darkness? As Christians, we've taken the place of the old system of priesthood, and we know that it was not an easy thing to be a priest. While God is gracious and merciful, is it right for us to treat our "office" with contempt? We take it for granted, but we have been given such a great honor.

 

[LiturgyInDMinor]

I am still learning the Westminster Larger Catechism...I am a new Presbyterian, accepted by the Session by reaffirmation of faith last month along with my wife.

This confession seems very similar.

*lurks*

 

[kenrapoza]

I am still learning the Westminster Larger Catechism...I am a new Presbyterian, accepted by the Session by reaffirmation of faith last month along with my wife.

This confession seems very similar.

*lurks*

It is very similar in content, but warmer in tone. My Pastor quotes from it very often and has been teaching through it in CE. The Westminster Standards have a bit more developed covenant theology.