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The Heidelberg Catechism of 1563 is a statement of faith that gives comprehensive instruction of Reformed doctrine and theology. Before we scoff and turn away at the mention of Reformed, let's make clear that the doctrine of predestination is only a very small part of that theology, and is a part that can be disagreed with, and yet retain the other doctrines. Reformed simply means it came out of the Reformation and is Protestant. Therefore it contains the same doctrinal truths that belong to Christianity, period. One of the reasons for the catechism's development was that insufficient attention was being paid to the youth (but no exclusively the youth), but the young were "careless in the respect to Christian doctrine", "entirely without Christian instruction", "unsystematically taught", or "perplexed with irrelevant and needless questions." of all of the above. The catechism was to be used by "Pastors and schoolmasters," "churches and schools" so that there would be consistency in teaching rather than teachers and preachers who "adopt daily changes, or introduce erroneous doctrine."(Quotes are Elector Frederick III who commissioned the current catechism.) So we see our modern day is not the first time this casual and insubstantial and contradictory and confusing set of views has occurred. These catechisms were designed to keep unity in the body of Christ.The gospel we typically hear today amounts to "You are a sinner, Jesus will forgive you if you invite Him into your life." And then we are left to pretty much formulate our own doctrine.
I never read the Heidelberg Catechism until today (my bad) and it is in the back of one of my study Bibles, along with a few others. As I was reading it, it was asking the very questions that come up frequently on the forum and giving succinct but short and profound answers. So here is one of them, and here is how it goes.
LORD'S DAY 4
9. Doth not God then do injustice to man, by requiring of him in His law that which he cannot perform?
Not at all; for God made man capable of performing it: but man by the instigation of the devil, and his own wilful disobedience, deprived himself and all his posterity of those divine gifts.
10 Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?
By no means; but is terribly displeased with our original as well as actual sins; and will punish them in His just judgment temporarily and eternally, as He hath declared, "Cursed is everyone who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
11. Is not God then also merciful?
God is indeed merciful, but also just; therefore His justice requires that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God he also be punished with extreme, that is with everlasting punishment of body and soul.
12. Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be received into His favor?
God will have HIs justice satisfied, and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves or by another.
13. Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?
By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.
14. Can there be found anywhere one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?
None. for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man hath committed; and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others.
15. What sort of mediator and deliverer then must we seek?
For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures. that is, one who is also very God.
16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?
Because the justice of God requires the same human nature which hath sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.
17. Why must He in one person be also very God?
That He might by the power of His Godhead sustain in His human nature the burden of God's wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.
18. Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, and a real righteous man?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, "who God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."
19. Whence knoweth thou this?
From the holy gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise; and afterwards published by the patriarchs and prophets, and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law, and lastly, has fulfilled it by His only begotten Son.
And there are those that say historical church catechisms are outdated, unnecessary and bad! My cry is "If only, if only, if only, they would be brought back into Christ's church and for the very reasons that they came about in the first place." What a blessing to our children! What a blessing to us all.
I never read the Heidelberg Catechism until today (my bad) and it is in the back of one of my study Bibles, along with a few others. As I was reading it, it was asking the very questions that come up frequently on the forum and giving succinct but short and profound answers. So here is one of them, and here is how it goes.
LORD'S DAY 4
9. Doth not God then do injustice to man, by requiring of him in His law that which he cannot perform?
Not at all; for God made man capable of performing it: but man by the instigation of the devil, and his own wilful disobedience, deprived himself and all his posterity of those divine gifts.
10 Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?
By no means; but is terribly displeased with our original as well as actual sins; and will punish them in His just judgment temporarily and eternally, as He hath declared, "Cursed is everyone who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
11. Is not God then also merciful?
God is indeed merciful, but also just; therefore His justice requires that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God he also be punished with extreme, that is with everlasting punishment of body and soul.
12. Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be received into His favor?
God will have HIs justice satisfied, and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves or by another.
13. Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?
By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.
14. Can there be found anywhere one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?
None. for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man hath committed; and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others.
15. What sort of mediator and deliverer then must we seek?
For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures. that is, one who is also very God.
16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?
Because the justice of God requires the same human nature which hath sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.
17. Why must He in one person be also very God?
That He might by the power of His Godhead sustain in His human nature the burden of God's wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.
18. Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, and a real righteous man?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, "who God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."
19. Whence knoweth thou this?
From the holy gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise; and afterwards published by the patriarchs and prophets, and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law, and lastly, has fulfilled it by His only begotten Son.
And there are those that say historical church catechisms are outdated, unnecessary and bad! My cry is "If only, if only, if only, they would be brought back into Christ's church and for the very reasons that they came about in the first place." What a blessing to our children! What a blessing to us all.
