History And Genius Of The Heidelberg Catechism Classic Reprint

Excerpt from History and Genius of the Heidelberg Catechism The series of Essays in the Messenger was pre faced, Dec. 9, 1840, with a short introduction, in which occurs the following passage, worthy for various reaq sons to be repeated in this place. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Heidelberg Catechism: Historical and Doctrinal Studies If these studies will help the reader to understand more clearly the history and genius of the Heidelberg Catechism and to comprehend more definitely the mis sion and responsibility of the Reformed Church in the United States, then I shall feel that, with all its limita tions and defects, this work has not been done in vain. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

In this authoritative work, the author provides a comprehensive and insightful look at the history and significance of the Heidelberg Catechism. tracing its origins, development, and impact on Christian thought and practice. A must-read for scholars and students of Reformed theology and church history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Excerpt from The Heidelberg Catechism, in German, Latin and English: With an Historical Introduction This volume has been prepared by a Committee of the Synod of the German Reformed Church in the United States, appointed at the annual meeting held at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1859; and is designed to commemorate the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the formation and adoption of the Heidelberg Catechism. The resolution under which the Committee was appointed, orders the prepara tion of a critical standard edition of the Heidelberg Catechism in the original Ger man, and Latin, together with a revised English translation, and an historical intro duction, to be published in superior style as a centennial edition, in Agree ably to these instructions, we publish a comprehensive historical and theological Introduction, and a critical edition of the Catechism in four texts: Old German, Latin, Modern German, and English, printed in parallel columns. The Introduction furnishes a succinct but full account of the origin and forma tion of the Catechism, its reception in the different branches of the Protestant Church, and its fortunes in Europe and America; and compares its genius and the ology with that of other Reformed and Lutheran confessions, both of earlier and later date. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The HEIDELBERG CATECHISM; first appeared in the year 1563, and soon won for itself a sort of universal authority in the Church, that no similar system has since been able to supplant. Its relation to the Reformed Church was soon allowed to be parallel, in this respect, with that of the venerable Catechism of Luther to the Lutheran Church; a distinction not admitted before, in favor even of the Catechism of Geneva. Hence it is denominated at times the Reformed Catechism, as representing, by general acknowledgment, the faith of the entire communion, distinguished by the same title in the sixteenth century. It is much more indeed than a Catechism, in the ordinary sense; being so constructed as to serve, at the same time, the purpose of a full church Confession. It stands forth accordingly with special prominence, not only among the Catechisms, but among the regular Confessions also, of the period to which it belongs. In this view, it holds, we may say, the very highest distinction. If the question be asked, which among all the symbolical books that have appeared in the Reformed Church, has the best claim to be regarded in the light of an oecumenical or general symbol; the answer must be given undoubtedly, that it is the Heidelberg Catechism.Such we find to be, in fact, the clear judgment of history itself. Though formed originally for the use of a particular territory only, the Catechism proved to be a true and happy exposition of the faith of the Reformed Church in general; and in a short time accordingly, it came to be recognized and honored as such, all over Europe. Where it was not exalted formally to the rank of a symbolical book, it was at least invested with the highest credit, as a work embodying in the most approved form, the doctrines of the Church at large. The authority of the prince under whose direction it was prepared, was sufficient indeed to bring it into general use in the Church of the Palatinate; but this authority could have no force beyond these limits. Its favorable reception in other lands could be owing only to its own intrinsic worth, and the ready concurrence in its doctrine sand spirit, which it met with from the Reformed Church in every direction. It was received indeed with a sort of universal homage, as an ornament to the creed which it was felt so well to represent. Switzerland, France, Scotland and England, joined in testifying towards it their admiration and respect. It was translated for the use of schools and churches in Hungary. It became the basis of religious instruction, for the Reformed Church generally in Germany. In the Netherlands it was clothed with the highest authority, in being made to constitute, along with the Belgic Confession, the national rule of faith. Finally by the Synod of Dort, the general council of the entire Reformed Church in the beginning of the seventeenth century, it was formally acknowledged and sanctioned, as a fair and proper representation of the Reformed faith in all lands. It became thus in form, to a certain extent, the accredited standard of the Church as a whole.In all this we see the true importance of the Heidelberg Catechism. The relation which it bears to the whole Reformed Church of the sixteenth century, is full of interest, and such as may well make it an object of special regard in all ages. No other Catechism or Confession comes down to us, under the same broad catholic character, or with equal claims, in the view now mentioned, to historical attention and respect.