Seminary Professor Discusses Heidelberg Catechism

Zacharias Ursinus had no idea that the Heidelberg Catechism, which he wrote just over 450 years ago, would become so popular, eventually appearing in so many languages and being read by so many people around the world, says Rev. Lyle Bierma, a professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary.

"Why is it so popular and has lasted and had such a long shelf life?" asks Bierma in a video featuring a talk he gave in late May to a President's Legacy Society breakfast audience at the seminary.  "No one would have guessed that it would have made the impact that it has had."

Because he has an international reputation as a scholar on Reformed confessions, Bierma was invited to speak about the Heidelbeg Catechism at various events and locations all over the world during celebrations of the 450th anniversary in 2013.

Written "by a young, wet-behind the ears" theologian at the request Elector Frederick III who governed the area of Heidelberg at that time, the catechism brought a radical message to people of the day who were feeling great spiritual discomfort, says Bierma.

There were hundreds of catechisms written at this time, but this one has lasted, and one reason is because of how it weaves in scripture and draws in readers by bringing them closer to Christ, the savior.

The catechism is "saturated with scripture and attempts to summarize for us all of the essential themes of scripture. It bubbles forth with scripture all the way through," Bierma says in his presentation.

He also says the catechism is personal, starting with the first question, addressing the reader: "What is your only comfort in life and death?"

"'Your' is singular and focuses on each person," he says. While the catechism uses the plural in places, he says, "when it gets to the most essential points, it moves from the collective to the personal. It looks us right in the eye."

The catechism is also pastoral. From the beginning, it doesn’t start with academic or theological questions. Rather, it asks what is your only comfort in life, he says.

In addressing the reader this way, the catechism shows that it senses the reader is feeling some discomfort, fear, anxiety.

"Right from the get-go and all of the way through, it is sensitive to the spiritual needs of the reader," he says.