Examining the Biblical Support for the Catechism

The answers given to the questions posed in the Heidelberg Catechism are firmly rooted in God's Word. If you want to see this biblical support, click here. CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry) has placed all 129 questions and answers of the catechism on its web site, along with the biblical support. It's good stuff!!!

Only three more days until our DEEPER '11 adventure begins! Be praying!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Schedule for January

Here is the schedule for January. You will see the message topics and the suggested reading (to be done PRIOR to Sunday).  I trust that all who make the effort to do the reading AND THEN spend some time reflecting on what they have read will deepen their roots in the truths about God and the things of God that we will be studying together.

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

An Introduction to Deeper '11

The New Testament uses a number of different pictures (metaphors) for the Church (eg: the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the flock of God, the temple of God, etc.). In John 15:1-8, Jesus gives us another metaphor: that of a vine and its branches. In painting this picture for us, Jesus very specifically gives us God's desire for Christ's church - to bear much fruit for God's glory and to show to the world around us that we are indeed Christ's followers.

Now for a vine to be producing much fruit, a number of factors must be present. One of these is that the vine must have DEEP ROOTS. It is through the roots that the vine obtains the needed water and nutrients to grow and to be fruitful. What is true of a vine ... must also be true of the church. We must have deep roots. Roots that go deep into the fertile soil of the teachings of God's Word. However, far too many of us Christ followers today lack deep roots. Instead of feeding our souls on the substantive truths of God's Word, we have become spiritual "fast-food addicts." We quickly grab a verse here or a brief devotional reading there ... and move on with our busy lives. As a result, we grow weak and flabby in our faith walk with God.

DEEPER '11 is all about digging deeper into biblical theology. Many are scared by that word, "theology." When they think "theology" they think of words like "boring" or "irrelevant." However, the word "theology" simply means "the study of God and the things of God." And given the beauty and majesty of God - there is nothing boring about the study of such a God! Add to this the fact that the world we live in is God's. He designed it. He made it. He sustains it. Therefore, to try to live our lives in this world without a deep knowledge of God and his ways is like trying to walk through a forest blindfolded and in leg irons! Below is a video that I've included that makes the point well that theology is of utmost importance in the Christian life.



The book that we are utilizing as a resource (in addition to the greatest resource, that of the Scriptures themselves) is not the book promoted in the video (which is a very solid book) - but rather the book by Kevin DeYoung, The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism. Now some might be scared by the word "catechism." But a catechism is simply an instructional tool (set in a question and answer format). Concerning the value of a catechism, prolific Christian author Jerry Bridges says, "None of us are spiritual enough or smart enough to dig out various truths of Scripture by ourselves. We need sound instruction. A good catechism provides that."

The 16th century catechism that is featured in DeYoung's book is the Heidelberg Catechism. First published in 1563, it has become one of the most widely circulated books in the world (following only the Bible; John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress; and Thomas a Kempis' The Imitation of Christ. It has achieved such a wide and enduring circulation because it is a GOOD catechism.

In the months of 2011, we will be working our way through this catechism in the hopes of deepening our roots in the God-truths that we so desperately need to know, understand and embrace. As is true of most of the various catechisms used by the Church down through the centuries, the Heidelberg is primarily a commentary on The Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer.

I close this posting with a quote from the book:

"No doubt, the church in the West has many new things to learn. But for the most part, everything we need to learn is what we've already forgotten. The chief theological task now facing the Western church is not to reinvent or to be relevant but to remember. We must remember the old, old story. We must remember the faith once delivered to the saints. We must remember the truths that spark reformation, revival, and regeneration."
(Kevin DeYoung).

I hope you join us on this exciting adventure of getting to know God better!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj