Following the teaching of the Bible, we confess that we are sinners from the very beginning of our lives. It is important to know this because it proves our deep need for a Saviour. We speak of original sin, or inherited sin, because our sinfulness can be traced back to Adam. But this raises the … Continue reading The transmission of sin
Author: arjenvreugd
Educator and Christian minister. Interest and experience in theology, mathematics, science, and linguistics.
The image of God (LD 3, q&a 6)
Introduction I am not able to keep God’s law perfectly. Without my saviour, I am a miserable sinner, in the power of the devil. This is true for me, for you, for all people. I am inclined by nature to hate God and my neighbour. That was the teaching of Lord’s Day 2—see the previous … Continue reading The image of God (LD 3, q&a 6)
Understanding the “image of God”
The creation narrative in Genesis 1 characterizes human beings as made “in the image” and “after the likeness” of God himself. In our very design and essence, we are closely linked to who God is: a wonderful thought! But what qualities do we have that constitute that image in us? Traditionally, there have been two … Continue reading Understanding the “image of God”
The law of love (LD 2, q&a 3-5)
Introduction “What do you need in order to know to live and to die in the joy of the comfort that you belong to Jesus?” The catechism asked this in q&a 2. Its answer was: “First, how great my sins and misery are.” Only if we know how miserable we would be without Jesus, can … Continue reading The law of love (LD 2, q&a 3-5)
The three “uses of the law”
The law should drive us to Jesus Christ as our only hope of salvation. “The law is a kind of mirror,” wrote John Calvin (Inst. 2.7.7). In the light of its perfection we see our sin and failure. The church father Augustine wrote: “If the Spirit of grace is absent, the law is present only … Continue reading The three “uses of the law”
God, our Saviour (LD 1, part 2)
Introduction Have you noticed that the catechism, in its first question and answer, does not mention “God”? It easily could have; it could have said: “My only comfort is that I belong to God…” Instead, it talks about Jesus Christ as our Saviour. As we read on, the catechism also mentions “my heavenly Father” and … Continue reading God, our Saviour (LD 1, part 2)
The Trinity in the Heidelberg Catechism
“Contemporary Christians by and large do not appropriate God for themselves in a specifically trinitarian way. Yet both worship and thought remain replete with symbols expressing God as triune—symbols, however, that remain at a certain remove from actual life.” (William J. Hill, The Three-Personed God, p. 251) Reformed Christian do not escape this problem. We … Continue reading The Trinity in the Heidelberg Catechism
“Your comfort”: The personal approach of the Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism was not the only catechism written in the time of the Reformation. The method of teaching children through questions and answers was very popular at that time. Many Reformed leaders published catechisms, including Luther, Calvin, and Ursinus. But the Heidelberg Catechism became the most popular of all. One thing that stands out … Continue reading “Your comfort”: The personal approach of the Heidelberg Catechism
My only comfort (LD 1, part 1)
Introduction What are you living for? What makes your life meaningful? What keeps you going? As long as things go well, we may avoid thinking about this. Especially while you are young and healthy. But sooner or later, we all face discomfort, suffering, sickness, loss. Then we cannot escape those questions. Then we need something … Continue reading My only comfort (LD 1, part 1)
PreCon 15: Elders and church discipline
... Do you promise to submit willingly to the admonition and discipline of the church, if it should happen, and may God graciously prevent it, that you become delinquent either in doctrine or in conduct?