A Faith Worth Teaching: The Heidelberg Catechism’s Enduring Heritage

Author(s): Jon D. Payne and Sebastian Heck
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
Price: $2.99      

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

Endorsements:
“This is a wonderful collection of articles, both practical and scholarly. There is much here to help us understand the history, the theology, and the continuing relevance of the Heidelberg Catechism. As we preach through the Heidelberg in our church I will certainly consult this book often. It prompted me to think again and again ‘Isn’t the Catechism remarkable!’ and, more importantly, ‘Isn’t the gospel amazing!’” — Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at University Reformed Church, Lansing, Michigan, and author of The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism

“As a summary and interpretation of God’s Word composed for and authorized by the Reformed churches, the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) has a special place in the life of the churches. We should be thankful for ‘A Faith Worth Teaching’, a fine resource that helps us better understand and use the catechism in our time.” — R. Scott Clark, professor of church history and historical theology, Westminster Seminary California