The Spirituality of the Heidelberg Catechism

Papers of the International Conference on the Heidelberg Catechism Held in Apeldoorn 2013

Arnold Huijgen

• Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9783525550847
• eBook ISBN:
  9783647550848
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

At the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism, an international conference on the spirituality of the Heidelberg Catechism was held at the Theological University Apeldoorn, 21-22 June 2013. This publication offers the plenary papers presented, and a selection of the short papers. While the papers center on the Catechism's spirituality, a wide range of topics is covered, from both historical and theological perspectives. These topics include: the roles of Ursinus and Olevianus, controverse theologians, anabaptist spirituality, comparisons with Calvin's Genevan Catechism and the later Synopsis of Purer Theology. Also, the distinct spirituality of faith, regeneration, the trinity, the law and prayer in the Heidelberg Catechism are scrutinized, besides the idea of mystical union and the art of dying and living. Three contributions reflect on the controversy on the Eucharist which has stamped the Heidelberg Catechism. From a practical-theological perspective, the preaching and teaching of the Catechism are discussed, as well as the mode of gospel presentation and the permanent character of catechetical instruction. So, this volume offers a broad range of scholarly perspectives on the Catechism. Its spirituality is famous for the first question and answer, on the only comfort in life and death: That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.""

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• Body
• Preface
• Lyle D. Bierma: Ursinus and the Theological Landscape of the Heidelberg Catechism
• Andreas Mühling: Caspar Olevian und die Einführung des Heidelberger Katechismus
• Frank van der Pol: Aspects of the Theology of Controverse. Two Early Modern Polemical Approaches of the Heidelberg Catechism
• Henk van den Belt: Anabaptist Spirituality and the Heidelberg Catechism
• Kyle J. Dieleman: The Heidelberg Catechism, Calvin’s Genevan Catechism, and Spirituality A Comparative Study
• Kees de Wildt: Interpreting the Heidelberg Catechism in the Sixteenth Century. Commentaries and Sermons on HC 53: the Holy Spirit
• Riemer A. Faber: The Function of the Catechism’s Spirituality in the Synopsis of Purer Theology (1625)
• Christian Link: Glaube als lebensbestimmende Erkenntnis
• Wim Verboom: Regeneration According to the Heidelberg Catechism
• Dolf te Velde: The Heidelberg Catechism on the Doctrine of the Trinity
• Erik A. de Boer: Adoration or Idolatry? HC 80 in the Context of the Catechetical Teaching of Joannes Anastasius in the Palatinate
• Wim H.Th. Moehn: A Lasting Controversy on Mass and Supper? Meaning and Actuality of HC 80
• Frank Ewerszumrode: Holy Celebrations in the Power of the Holy Spirit. A Roman Catholic Rereading of the Doctrine of the Sacraments in the Heidelberg Catechism
• Willem van Vlastuin: The Promise of Unio Mystica. An Inquiry into the Functioning of a Spiritual-Theological Concept in the Heidelberg Catechism
• Eberhard Busch: Die Gebote des gnädigen Gottes nach demHeidelberger Katechismus
• Gerard den Hertog: The Heidelberg Catechism and the Art of Dying and Living
• Arnold Huijgen: Practicing Gratitude. The Spirituality of Prayer in the Heidelberg Catechism
• Pieter Veerman: Prayer and the Law of God
• Arie Baars: Theory and Practice of Preaching on the Heidelberg Catechism
• T. Theo J. Pleizier: Heidelberg as Best Practice Catechism. A Practical-Theological Exploration of Constructing Catechisms in a Post-Christian and De-churched Context
• Hans Burger: Gospel Presentation and the Structure of the Heidelberg Catechism
• Maarten J. Kater: Permanent Education. Lessons from the “je lenger je mehr”-passages in the Heidelberg Catechism
• About the authors