I grew up on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and just today realised I'd never read the Heidelberg but really should. It was jolly good reading - warmer, more personal, and comforting than the Westminster, if not so sharp and stirring. A splendid summary of Christian doctrine, very comforting and ...more
This Reformed catechism delivers strong doctrine in a pastoral, caring, comforting way. The structure helpfully models the Christian life: guilt, grace, gratitude (or sin, salvation, service).
As a short, concise, question-and-answer format summary of the Christian faith, the Heidelberg Catechism stands as one of the greatest treasures that has lasted through the recent centuries -- a certain gift for modern readers. Whether you are wishing to understand, explain, teach, or memorize some ...more
Composed in large part by Reformer Zacharius Ursinus, the catechism distills Scripture into a clear grammar so as to introduce children and converts to the glorious truths of the Christian faith. Built on a structure of guilt, grace, and gratitude, it does what a catechism should do, and does it unc ...more
I felt it was amazing at describing quickly but in detail what a Christian should believe step by step. Really liked the part talking on Baptism and the Lord’s supper because those two things I’ve been asking lots of questions on and it helped me understand what we as Christians should believe in an ...more
This printing by BoT is highly practical for daily use. The work itself is also highly practical, devotional, and especially personal, something that the Westminster documents don't emphasize. A brilliant catechism with intellectual depth but also fervent experiential breadth written so early into t ...more
Solid. I read it at the same time as I'm memorizing the Westminster Shorter Catechism, so the comparisons are sharp. The Heidelberg is definitely warmer and more devotional but also less precise and poignant, though one would expect this given that the Westminster Assembly had the benefit of writing ...more
By far my favorite catechism! Though some of the answers are pretty long, the theology and warmth of God's gracious truths that can be learned in this book are so clear in communicating His grace toward sinners and His work in our lives for His own glory.
If all parents and children went through one ...more