The Heidelberg Catechism Annotated Edition

* Including an annotation about the history of the Reformed Churches The Heidelberg Catechism is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Reformed Christian doctrine. It has been translated into many languages and is regarded as one of the most influential of the Reformed catechisms. The Catechism is divided into fifty-two sections, called "Lord's Days," which were designed to be taught on each of the 52 Sundays of the year. The Synod of Heidelberg approved the catechism in 1563. In the Netherlands, the Catechism was approved by the Synods of Wesel (1568), Emden (1571), Dort (1578), the Hague (1586), as well as the great Synod of Dort of 1618-1619, which adopted it as one of the Three Forms of Unity, together with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dort. (courtesy of wikipedia.com)

This is a handy and attractive collection of important catechisms for the Presbyterian Church. Designed to be a companion to the Book of Confessions: Study Edition, the Book of Catechisms has all three versions of the Study Catechism (Belonging to God, Confirmation Version, and Full Version) with full scriptural citations, study questions, and answers. For comparison and study, the Book of Catechisms also contains the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, along with a helpful cross-reference index to all five catechisms.

This edition of the Heidelberg Catechism is produced by the Reformed Church in the United States. It is reprinted with all of the references in the New King James Version of the Bible and the updated language adopted by the Synod of the RCUS in 2011.This small book is one of the finest fruits of the Reformation and epitomizes its essential teaching. Holding forth faith in Jesus Christ as our only comfort in life and in death, it presents, very personally and eloquently, what is necessary to know that we may live and die in that comfort. While many played a role in its composition, it was especially Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus who imparted its theological content and practical spirit. Having received hearty approval by the pastors and teachers in Heidelberg, it was published on January 19, 1563. Its influence in Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, and beyond exceeded all expectations. It was welcomed by Reformed believers everywhere. Today, those who are yearning for a beautiful statement of biblical truth will find this work a treasure. It remains as fresh as when it was first published 450 years ago.

The Heidelberg Catechism, first approved in 1563, is a confessional document of the Protestant movement considered one of the most ecumenical of the confessions. Published to coincide with the catechism's 450th anniversary, this book explores the Heidelberg Catechism in its historical setting and emphasizes the catechism's integration of Lutheran and Reformed traditions in all of its major doctrines. An appendix contains a translation of the Heidelberg Catechism recently prepared and adopted by three of the Reformed denominations that recognize the catechism as one of their confessions: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, and the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

This work on the Heidelberg Catechism is intended to give the new light that has been thrown on the catechism, mainly within the last fifty years, since the Tercentenary Jubilee was held in 1863 by the Reformed Church in the United States. However, it also includes some light previous to that time, but which does not seem to have attracted the attention of the American writers on the catechism. - Preface.

For 450 years, churches throughout the world have been using the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) to instruct God’s people in foundational Christian doctrine. When Elector Frederick III (1515–1576) commissioned the preparation of a manual for instructing the youth and guiding the pastors and teachers of his domain, he could not have imagined the profound effect it would have on future generations of Christians. The most widely used, most influential Reformation catechism, the “Heidelberger” shines forth the blessed truths of the gospel in 129 questions and answers, beginning with the memorable, ever-enduring subject of our “only comfort in life and in death.” In A Faith Worth Teaching , edited by Jon Payne and Sebastian Heck, an array of faithful pastor-scholars celebrate the Heidelberg Catechism on its 450th anniversary with a collection of essays on its dynamic history, rich theology, and fruit-bearing practice that will be an encouragement to pastors and laypersons alike. Table of Contents: Foreword: the Heidelberg Catechism: the Secret of its Success - Herman J. Selderhuis Part 1: The History and Background of the Heidelberg Catechism 1. The History and People Behind the Heidelberg Catechism - Lyle D. Bierma 2. The Heidelberg Catechism in the United States - D. G. Hart Part 2: The Heidelberg Catechism and the Means of Grace 3. Holding Firmly to the Heidelberger: The Validity and Relevance of Catechism Preaching - Joel R. Beeke 4. Preaching the Catechism Today - Joel R. Beeke 5. “Washed from All My Sins”: The Doctrine of Baptism in the Heidelberg Catechism - Sebastian Heck 6. “As Certainly As I See and Taste”: The Lord’s Supper and the Heidelberg Catechism – Jon D. Payne Part 3: Christian Doctrine and the Heidelberg Catechism 7. Gathered, Protected, and Preserved: The Church in the Heidelberg Catechism - Michael S. Horton 8. Grace and Gratitude: Justification and Sanctification in the Heidelberg Catechism - Cornelis P. Venema 9. The Christology of the Heidelberg catechism - Mark Jones 10. “Prophet, Doctor Jesus”: the Son of God as “Our High Priest and Teacher” in the Heidelberg Catechism - Victor E. d’Assonville 11. The Spirit-Filled Catechism: The Heidelberg Catechism and the Holy Spirit - Daniel R. Hyde Part 4: The Heidelberg Catechism As Catechetical Tool 12. The Heidelberg Catechism Among the Reformed Catechisms - W. Robert Godfrey 13. The Heidelberg Catechism: A Catechetical Tool - Willem Verboom 14. Scholasticism in the Heidelberg Catechism? - Willem van ’t Spijker