mgpcpastor's blog

This week’s portion of the Heidelberg Catechism is posted below.
I’ve been wondering if the Heidelberg might prove to be a more viable catechism for contemporary readers than its Westminster counterparts. The narrative, experimental nature of its responses may be more intuitively accessible than the more objective formulations of the Shorter and Larger Catechism.
They largely teach the same theology, but for those who prefer their theology in narrative form, this may be the way forward.

Q. 59. But what good does it do you, however, to believe all this? [The summary of Christian doctrine contained in the Apostle’s Creed]
A. In Christ I am right with God and heir to life everlasting.

Q. 60. How are you right with God?
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been a perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.

Q. 61. Why do you say that by faith alone you are right with God?
A. It is not because of any value my faith has that God is pleased with me. Only Christ’s satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness make me right with God, and I can receive this righteousness and make it mine in no other way than by faith alone.