Part 1 15. What kind of a mediator and redeemer then must we seek? One who is a true1 and righteous man,2 and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, One who is also true God.3 11 Cor 15:21, 22, 25, . . . Continue reading →
Heidelberg Catechism
Five Good Reasons to Memorize the Catechism
Martin explains. Here’s a related essay on “Why We Memorize the Catechism.”
A Historical, Theological, Pastoral, and Polemical Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism
Note 22 April 2008: What follows is very rough draft of the beginning of a commentary on the HC. This material may not be published, re-published or distributed without the express permission of the author. Introduction It is the great need of . . . Continue reading →
Covenants, Adam, Modernity, and Context Pt 1 (HC 15)
15. What kind of a mediator and redeemer then must we seek? One who is a true1 and righteous man, 2 and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, One who is also true God.3 11 Cor 15:21, 22, 25, 26. . . . Continue reading →
Our Bloody Religion pt 3 (HC 14)
Part two of this series is here. 14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us?
Our Bloody Religion Pt 2 (HC 14)
Part 1 of this post. 14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us? None, for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;1 and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal . . . Continue reading →
More On the Proposed Revision to the PCUSA Translation of the Heidelberg Catechism
Thanks to Justin Taylor for pointing me to Robert Gagnon’s brief essay here. On one level the argument isn’t really about fidelity to the original German and Latin texts but about the meaning of the proof texts cited in HC Q. 87, . . . Continue reading →
PCUSA Presbytery Proposes Revisions to Adopted Translation
Thanks to Stephen Ley for alerting me to this interesting discussion. I don’t pretend to understand the intricacies of PCUSA (the mainline, largest and most liberal Presbyterian body in North America). What is interesting about this sort of argument in this context is that . . . Continue reading →
Our Bloody Religion (HC 14) Pt 1
14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us? None, for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;1 and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin 2 and . . . Continue reading →
When Sin is Sin and Grace is Grace
13. Can we ourselves make this satisfaction. By no means, on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.1 1 Job 9:2, 3. Job 15:15,16. Matt 6:12. * Matt 16:26. Only Christianity accounts for sin.
The Freedom of the Divine Will (Q. 12, pt 2)
12. Since then by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor? God wills that His justice be satisfied;1 therefore we must make full satisfaction to the . . . Continue reading →
HC Question #1 Set to Contemporary Tune
I met Brian and Carla Bywaters last week in Ponte Vedra, FL at the Gospel-Driven Life Conference hosted by PV PCA. They were enthusiastic about the conference. In our conversations he mentioned that he had set Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism . . . Continue reading →
Is God Capricious? (HC 12, pt 1)
12. Since then by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor? God wills that His justice be satisfied;1 therefore we must make full satisfaction to the . . . Continue reading →
Mercy and Justice (HC 11)
11. Is then God not also merciful? God is indeed merciful,1 but He is likewise just;2 His justice therefore requires that sin which is committed against the most high Majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment . . . Continue reading →
Heidelberg Catechism 10 (4) Hell on Earth?
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished? By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has . . . Continue reading →
Q. 10 (Pt 3) Why Do We Have Such a Hard Time with Hell?
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished? By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has . . . Continue reading →
(Q. 10, pt. 2) Will God Punish Disobedience?
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has declared: . . . Continue reading →
Will God Punish Disobedience? (HC 10, pt 1)
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished? By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has . . . Continue reading →
Misery (Question 3)
If I may start with something I posted a few weeks ago: The English noun, “misery” is probably derived from the Latin verb misereo, “to pity.” The Latin adjective miser means “wretched.” In our translation, the noun “misery” (German, Das Elend; Latin, . . . Continue reading →
What is Your Only Comfort? (2)
The Heidelberg Catechism, building on the breakthrough of the first stage of the Reformation, is organized in three parts. Remarkably, as basic an insight as this is, it continues to elude nearly all evangelicals and many ostensibly Reformed folk. This should not . . . Continue reading →