The Spirituality of the Heidelberg Catechism

Dr. theol. Eberhard Busch ist emeritierter Universitätsprofessor für Reformierte Theologie an der Universität Göttingen.
Dr. theol. Frank Ewerszumrode, Dominikaner, ist wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter am Lehrstuhl für Dogmatik / Ökumenische Theologie an der Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität.

Prof. Dr. Arnold Huijgen is Professor for Systematic Theology at the Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn, Netherlands, and secretary of the chair from the International Calvin Congress.

Dr. Andreas Mühling ist Professor für Evangelische Kirchengeschichte und Leiter des Ökumenischen Institutes für interreligiösen Dialog an der Universität Trier. Er ist zugleich Hochschulpfarrer der Universität Trier und Leiter der EKD-Kommission "Reformierte Bekenntnisschriften".

Dr. Frank van der Pol is professor of Church History emeritus at the Theological University Kampen, the Netherlands.

Willem van Vlastuin is professor of Theology and Spirituality of Reformed Protestantism at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and dean of the Hersteld Hervormd Seminary there.

Wim Moehn is Professor with a Special Chair in the History of Reformed Protestantism at Protestant Theological University in Amsterdam, and minister in Hilversum.

Dr. Gerard den Hertog ist Professor für Systematische Theologie an der Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn.

Kyle J. Dieleman, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of History at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, USA.

Henk van den Belt is professor of systematic theology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

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.""

This publication offers the papers presented at an international conference on the spirituality of the Heidelberg Catechism, Apeldoorn 2013. Contributors cover a wide range of topics, from both historical and theological perspectives.

450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism.

The essays center on the Catechism's spirituality and offer a broad range of scholarly perspectives on the Catechism.