Status Report: November

Sitting…at the kitchen table, looking out the window. A few minutes ago I saw a fox run by on the street that runs past my house. 

Drinking…the same thing I drink first thing every morning—black coffee.

Marking…this as the first day of real winter this year. Although we have very little snow—and none in my front yard—the temperature is -9C (15F) this morning. I think that counts as winter.

Wishing…I’d been able to do the November Thanksgiving thing this year. But I’m going to be gone for 10 days this month, so I decided a few weeks ago that I’d be unable to commit to posting every day and collecting everyone’s posts. Now I’m wishing I’d tried to find someone else to do it, because I miss it. And so, apparently, do some of you. Connie is doing it on her own. [Update: You can join in daily thanksgiving with Sherry Early on Twitter using the hashtag #novemberthanksgiving.]

Enjoying…my new granddaughter. Lately she’s been sleeping when I’ve held her, but she’s a very cute and cuddly sleeper. She makes the sweetest grunts while sleeping, too.

Thinking…that I will miss her while I’m away. 

Also thinking…that this fall has been one big a roller-coaster ride for me. And I don’t like roller-coasters. 

Wondering…what good God is working through my roller-coaster ride.

Hoping…that things are more even-keeled for a while. I could use a few months of nothing much.

Thanking…God for the windows in my home. Even on a cold and dreary November day, it’s a beautiful world out there.

Reading…Counted Righteous in Christ by John Piper. It’s a defense of imputed righteousness against the teaching that it’s our faith that is imputed to us for righteousness. I’m finding his exegesis of some passages of scripture hard to follow, a problem I didn’t have when I read The Future of Justification. I’m going to have to go back and read again, I think, and maybe compare what he writes in the two books.

Also reading…Grieving, Hope, and Solace by Albert N. Martin. It’s a great little book, especially notable for it’s scriptural explanation of the intermediate state. 

Feeling…annoyed that the big dog needs me to take him across the road. Also feeling annoyed that he jumps the back fence to I can’t just let him out in the yard when it’s cold. 

Copying…Lisa.

Theological Term of the Week

Heidelberg Catechism
A Reformed confessional document, written by Zacharias Ursinus (1534-1583) in Heidelberg, consisting of a series of questions and answers used to teach Christian doctrine and practice.   

• From the Heidelberg Catechism: 

  1. Q. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

  A. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. 

• From Christ in the Heidelberg Catechism by Robert Godfrey:

From the beginning the catechism was intended for preaching as well as teaching. The Reformers of Heidelberg were convinced that not only children needed catechizing, but all God’s people needed careful, regular instruction in the basics of the faith. The catechism was divided into 52 Lord’s Days with the purpose of facilitating weekly preaching from the catechism. Especially in the Dutch Reformed tradition that intention has been preserved to our day. The sermon in one service each Sunday (usually the afternoon or evening service) is based on the catechism for that Sunday.

The personal and Christ-centered character of the catechism is clear right from the beginning. The first question asks, “What is your only comfort in life and death?” The answer is as fine a summary of the gospel as can be found anywhere: “That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.”

This first answer is long and stands in marked contrast with the rather short questions that begin other catechisms. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” and answers, “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.” The Anglican Catechism is even briefer (and easier). Its first question is “What is your name?” But Heidelberg takes the catechumen to the heart of the gospel right at the beginning. Christ stands at the head of the catechism and the whole catechism is an explication of what it means to belong to him.

Learn more:

1. Justin Holcomb: The Heidelberg Catechism
2. Carl Trueman: The Heidelberg Catechism (mp3)
3. Robert Godfrey: Christ in the Heidelberg Catechism
4. Zacharias Ursinus: Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism
5. Doug VanderMeulen: Series of sermons on the Heidelberg Catechism (mp3s)
6. URC Learning: Heidelberg Catechism Curriculum for Families (mp3s and pdfs)

Related terms:

• Augsburg Confession
• Belgic Confession
• Canons of Dordt 
• Westminster Confession 
• London Baptist Confession

Filed under Creeds and Confessions.

Do you have a term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.

A Catechism for Girls and Boys

Part II: Questions about The Ten Commandments

Disclaimer: I believe Christ fulfilled the Sabbath and there isn’t such a thing as a “Christian Sabbath.” I’m not sure how I’d change this question if I were to use this catechism.

Do you agree with this question and answer? If not, would you change it? How?

50. Q. What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?
      A. The first day of the week, called the Lord’s Day.

(Click through to read scriptural proof.)

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