The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) is naturally suited for devotional use. Its devotional qualities have been recognized almost from the instant it was first published. How many people who know virtually nothing else about the catechism know all or part of the first question and answer?
What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death am not my own but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head—Indeed, all things must work together for my salvation; wherefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily ready and willing henceforth to live unto him.
At the outset, let me say that I am happy to see anything that gets people reading the Heidelberg Catechism, and this little devotional has much to commend it. For one thing, the editor chose a good translation (from the Tercentenary edition of 1863) with some salutary, if unacknowledged, revisions. For example, in the Tercentenary edition, under the influence of the Mercersburg Theology of J. W. Nevin et al., the answer to Q. 56 says, “. . . but graciously imparts to me the righteousness of Christ” (emphasis added). This naughty and confusing and wholly gratuitous translation has been rightly corrected to read “graciously imputes . . .” (emphasis added). The verb to impart could reasonably be understood by the reader to mean infuses, when the framers of the catechism mean just the opposite.
The material of the catechism is arranged according to the fifty Lord’s Days and the numbers of the questions are omitted. Each Lord’s Day is followed by an appropriate passage of Scripture. Those who know the catechism will see immediately that the questions are also omitted. Doubtless, this was done to highlight the devotional character of the catechism and to downplay the pedagogical aspect. This is understandable if a little frustrating since, by definition, a catechism is a collection of questions and answers, whereas the material of this devotional is the answers to questions. To omit the questions leaves the reader to infer the question. This will work most of the time, but for me, the absence of the questions made me think of those (e.g., a relative of mine) who have lost limbs due to amputation and who testify to sense-experience that the limb is still there even though it is no longer.
The volume is small, compact, and well printed and bound. I am surprised, however, that the publisher did not see fit to include a ribbon as a place marker, which would seem to be useful for a devotional.
Of the making of devotionals there is no end, but in this case, the publisher has blessed us with a useful devotional based upon a beloved catechism which will enrich spiritual lives of all who use it.
©R. Scott Clark. All Rights Reserved.
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R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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