I have decided to go through this classic reformed document next. Many reformed churches refer to it and use it. The document dates back to 1563. It was the result of a feud between Lutherans and Calvinists in the region around Heidelberg. Frederick III took sides with the Calvinists and authorized this catechism and statement of faith. The organization is into three large parts; the largest is the second part, concerning the trinity and most of the key doctrines. I will be going through these parts very slowly. The proof texts are included in the original document, but in the interest of space, I'm going to link to them. The document can be found in its entirety at this link. Scroll down about half way and click on Heidelberg.
Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (Romans 14:7-8) am not my own, (1 Corinthians 6:19) but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; (1 Corinthians 3:23, Titus 2:14) who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 2:2,12) and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8, John 8:34-36) and so preserves me (John 6:39, 10:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Peter 1:5) that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (Matthew 10:29-31, Luke 21:18) yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (Romans 8:29) and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (2 Corinthians 1:20-22, 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:16) and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. (Romans 8:14, 1 John 3:3)
In this group, we see the authors starting from a summary position. We get that we are now slaves to His will, because He has purchased our souls with His blood, paying for our bill of sin. In return, we can be certain of our eternal inheritance of life with God.
Question 2. How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, may live and die happily?
Answer: Three; (Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 24:46-48, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:3-7) the first, how great my sins and miseries are; (John 9:41, 15:22) the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; (John 17:3, Acts 4:12, 10:43) the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance. (Ephesians 5:8-11, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Romans 6:1-2, 12-13)
In this group, we see the problem, the solution and the response. This is really quite simple. First, we have to recognize the depth of our sin and the miserable spot it leaves us. Second, we have to know the way out of the problem, our deliverance. Third, we need to know how to express our gratitude to God for solving the problem for us. Great stuff. These are the three major parts of the catechism. The second part is subdivided into Trinitarian sections and Sacraments. All the sections are divided into subsections numbered by "Lord's Day." Each post, then, will be one or more Lord's Days. Any conversation that is generated may cause edits to the main post.
This concludes the introduction. In the next post, we will explore a few Lord's Days of the first major section: Of the Misery of Man.
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