The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 1

December 31, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q & A 1

Q. What is your only comfort
in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own,1
but belong—
body and soul,
in life and in death—2
to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.3

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.5
He also watches over me in such a way6
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven;7
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.8

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life9
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.10

1 1 Cor. 6:19-20
2 Rom. 14:7-9
3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14
4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2
5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11
6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5
7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18
8 Rom. 8:28
9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
10 Rom. 8:1-17

Word Document w/ Scripture References

A Brief Historical Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism

December 31, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism, Historia Ecclesia • by
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The following is a brief historical introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism published by the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) was composed in the city of Heidelberg, Germany, at the request of Elector Frederick III, who ruled the province of the Palatinate from 1559 to 1576. The new catechism was intended as a tool for teaching young people, a guide for preaching in the provincial churches, and a form of confessional unity among the several Protestant factions in the Palatinate. An old tradition credits Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus with being the coauthors of the catechism, but the project was actually the work of a team of ministers and university theologians under the watchful eye of Frederick himself. Ursinus probably served as the primary writer on the team, and Olevianus had a lesser role. The catechism was approved by a synod in Heidelberg in January 1563. A second and third German edition, each with small additions, as well as a Latin translation were published the same year in Heidelberg. The third edition was included in the Palatinate Church Order of November 15, 1563, at which time the catechism was divided into fifty-two sections or Lord’s Days, so that one Lord’s Day could be explained in an afternoon worship service each Sunday of the year.

The Synod of Dort approved the Heidelberg Catechism in 1619, and it soon became the most ecumenical of the Reformed catechisms and confessions. It has been translated into many European, Asian, and African languages and is still the most widely used and warmly praised catechism of the Reformation period.

A Year with the Heidelberg Catechism

December 30, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Three years ago I made an attempt to post the questions and answers each week from the Heidelberg Catechism. It was a simple exercise to share with others the timeless truths and tenets of the Christian faith synthesized within the catechism. I also hoped to share something of the warm devotional nature of the catechism; as the Heidelberg has served as a source of comfort and joy for over four centuries.

This past year the catechism has served me in the same manner. Each Lord’s Day I was refreshed and encouraged by the catechism’s summery of Scripture’s teaching. Each week I was drawn back to my need for grace and reminded of “my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ” who has “fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood.” In the face of suffering I was again reminded, “He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.”

Each Sunday my regular practice was to read the questions and answers that corresponded to that particular Lord’s Day. Then, I would also read the brief commentary offered by Kevin DeYoung in his book, The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism. Through the rest of the week I would go back and revisit the questions and answers – most often as part of my scripture reading in the morning. This practice provided substance for meditation throughout the course of the day and inevitably proved to be a catalyst for prayer.

In 2012 I would like to make this practice a regular habit. I would also like to invite anyone who so desires to join me. To help along those lines, I intend to make two adjustments to my normal Heidelberg posts. First, instead of Sunday morning, I will post each week’s questions and answers Saturday evening. This will allow everyone to have them prior to Sunday.I will also post a link to a Word document that can be printed and used during the week. In addition to the corresponding questions and answers, I will also include the full scripture references for each.

I would also like to encourage the use of some study aid along with the regular reading of the catechism. In addition to Kevin DeYoung’s book that I mentioned above, two other resources I would like to suggest would be G. I. Williamson’s The Heidelberg Catechism: A Study Guide and Zacharias Ursinus’ (the catechism’s author) Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism. I may try using Ursinus’s commentary, but for the time being I will continue with DeYoung’s book alongside the catechism.

I hope this proves to be as much of a blessing as it was for me this past year.

The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 47

November 20, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q 122. What does the first petition mean?
A. “Hallowed be your name” means:
Help us to truly know you,1
to honor, glorify, and praise you
for all your works
and for all that shines forth from them:
your almighty power, wisdom, kindness,
justice, mercy, and truth.2
And it means,
Help us to direct all our living—
what we think, say, and do—
so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us
but always honored and praised.3

1 Jer. 9:23-24; 31:33-34; Matt. 16:17; John 17:3
2 Ex. 34:5-8; Ps. 145; Jer. 32:16-20; Luke 1:46-55, 68-75; Rom. 11:33-36
3 Ps. 115:1; Matt. 5:16

The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 43

October 23, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q 112. What is God’s will for you
in the ninth commandment?

A. God’s will is that I
never give false testimony against anyone,
twist no one’s words,
not gossip or slander,
nor join in condemning anyone
without a hearing or without a just cause.^1

Rather, in court and everywhere else,
I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind;
these are devices the devil himself uses,
and they would call down on me God’s intense anger.^2
I should love the truth,
speak it candidly,
and openly acknowledge it.^3
And I should do what I can
to guard and advance my neighbor’s good name.^4

^1 Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32
^2 Lev. 19:11-12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8
^3 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25
^4 1 Pet. 3:8-9; 4:8

http://www.crcna.org/pages/heidelberg_commandments.cfm#Day 43

The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 39

September 26, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q 104. What is God’s will for you
in the fifth commandment?

A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to
my father and mother
and all those in authority over me;
that I obey and submit to them, as is proper,
when they correct and punish me;^1
and also that I be patient with their failings—^2
for through them God chooses to rule us.^3

^1 Ex. 21:17; Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Rom. 13:1-2; Eph. 5:21-22; 6:1-9; Col. 3:18- 4:1
^2 Prov. 20:20; 23:22; 1 Pet. 2:18
^3 Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-8; Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-21

http://www.crcna.org/pages/heidelberg_commandments.cfm#Day 39

Catechetical Reflections: Public Worship and Christian Offerings for the Poor

September 19, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Too often it is not only easy, but also popular to critique what is wrong within the broad scope of American Evangelicalism. It is also common to create caricatures to serve the purposes of one’s own agenda. I hope to do neither. I do, however, have a reflection that I would like to present for your consideration.

As I was reading through this week’s questions and answers from the Heidelberg Catechism I was struck by the final mark of the public assembly of God’s people. The list is as follows: “to learn what God’s Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.”

I am not sure if I was more alarmed by the answer or alarmed by the fact that I was alarmed to begin with. Offerings for the poor should not be a foreign concept to Christian churches. Yet, how often do we hear a call for offerings for the poor? We hear about offerings for budgets, buildings, and ministry expenses. Have we made the primary matter a secondary one?

I am not one opposed to the institutionalized church. Quite contrary, I am in favor of the institutionalized church. However, as I reflect upon this answer, I can’t help but wonder if we haven’t imbibed our cultural ideals and values more than we realize or care to admit. Instead of adopting the common mantra, “Bigger is better,” perhaps we should give an audience to another popular catch phrase and “put your money where your mouth is.”

I do not say this to criticize so many churches who are week in and week out faithfully preaching the gospel. I am not trying to be rude or controversial. I do believe though, that it is a good practice to allow for some honest introspection as to “why” do the things we do. What ideas and beliefs have influenced our practice? To often we our blind to our own cultural bent.

Again, for you consideration.

The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 38

September 18, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q 103. What is God’s will for you
in the fourth commandment?

A. First,
that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained,^1
and that, especially on the festive day of rest,
I regularly attend the assembly of God’s people^2
to learn what God’s Word teaches,^3
to participate in the sacraments,^4
to pray to God publicly,^5
and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.^6

Second,
that every day of my life
I rest from my evil ways,
let the Lord work in me through his Spirit,
and so begin already in this life
the eternal Sabbath.^7

^1 Deut. 6:4-9, 20-25; 1 Cor. 9:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Tit. 1:5
^2 Deut. 12:5-12; Ps. 40:9-10; 68:26; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25
^3 Rom. 10:14-17; 1 Cor. 14:31-32; 1 Tim. 4:13
^4 1 Cor. 11:23-25
^5 Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:1
^6 Ps. 50:14; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8 & 9
^7 Isa. 66:23; Heb. 4:9-11

http://www.crcna.org/pages/heidelberg_commandments.cfm#Day 38

The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 35

August 28, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q 96. What is God’s will for us
in the second commandment?

A. That we in no way make any image of God^1
nor worship him in any other way
than he has commanded in his Word.^2

^1 Deut. 4:15-19; Isa. 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:22-23
^2 Lev. 10:1-7; 1 Sam. 15:22-23; John 4:23-24

Q 97. May we then not make
any image at all?

A. God can not and may not
be visibly portrayed in any way.

Although creatures may be portrayed,
yet God forbids making or having such images
if one’s intention is to worship them
or to serve God through them.^1

^1 Ex. 34:13-14, 17; 2 Kings 18:4-5

Q 98. But may not images be permitted in the churches
as teaching aids for the unlearned?

A. No, we shouldn’t try to be wiser than God.
He wants his people instructed
by the living preaching of his Word—^1
not by idols that cannot even talk.^2

^1 Rom. 10:14-15, 17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19
^2 Jer. 10:8; Hab. 2:18-20

http://www.crcna.org/pages/heidelberg_commandments.cfm#Day 35

The Heidelberg: Lord’s Day 34

August 21, 2011 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Q 92. What does the Lord say in his law?

A. God spoke all these words:

“The First Commandment”
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you out of Egypt,
out of the land of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.

“The Second Commandment”
You shall not make for yourself an idol
in the form of anything in heaven above
or on the earth beneath
or in the waters below.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them;
for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers
to the third and fourth generation
of those who hate me,
but showing love to a thousand generations of those
who love me and keep my commandments.

“The Third Commandment”
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,
for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless
who misuses his name.

“The Fourth Commandment”
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
On it you shall not do any work,
neither you, nor your son or daughter,
nor your manservant or maidservant,
nor your animals,
nor the alien within your gates.
For in six days the Lord made
the heavens and the earth, the sea,
and all that is in them,
but he rested on the seventh day.
Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day
and made it holy.

“The Fifth Commandment”
Honor your father and your mother,
so that you may live long
in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

“The Sixth Commandment”
You shall not murder.

“The Seventh Commandment”
You shall not commit adultery.

“The Eighth Commandment”
You shall not steal.

“The Ninth Commandment”
You shall not give false testimony
against your neighbor.

“The Tenth Commandment”
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
or his manservant or maidservant,
his ox or donkey,
or anything that belongs to your neighbor.^1

^1 Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21

Q 93. How are these commandments divided?

A. Into two tables.
The first has four commandments,
teaching us what our relation to God should be.
The second has six commandments,
teaching us what we owe our neighbor.^1

^1 Matt. 22:37-39

Q 94. What does the Lord require
in the first commandment?

A. That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation,
avoid and shun
all idolatry,^1 magic, superstitious rites,^2
and prayer to saints or to other creatures.^3

That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God,^4
trust him alone,^5
look to him for every good thing^6
humbly^7 and patiently,^8
love him,^9 fear him,^10 and honor him^11
with all my heart.

In short,
that I give up anything
rather than go against his will in any way.^12

^1 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 10:5-14; 1 John 5:21
^2 Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12
^3 Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9
^4 John 17:3
^5 Jer. 17:5, 7
^6 Ps. 104:27-28; James 1:17
^7 1 Pet. 5:5-6
^8 Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36
^9 Matt. 22:37 (Deut. 6:5)
^10 Prov. 9:10; 1 Pet. 1:17
^11 Matt. 4:10 (Deut. 6:13)
^12 Matt. 5:29-30; 10:37-39

Q 95. What is idolatry?

A. Idolatry is
having or inventing something in which one trusts
in place of or alongside of the only true God,
who has revealed himself in his Word.^1

^1 1 Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8-9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19

http://www.crcna.org/pages/heidelberg_commandments.cfm#Day 34

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