Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 44. (Q/A.113-115)

There still are Reformed Confessional Churches that will preach this at the evening service. And they still require the lads and lasses to memorize it. Most suitable to Anglican (historical) Prayer Book theology.

http://reformed-renegade.blogspot.com/2009/11/lords-day-44-heidelberg-catechism.html

Lord's Day 44
Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 44Scripture Readings: Colossians 2:20-3:17; 1 John 5:1-4

Q. 113.What does the tenth commandment require of us?

A.That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God's commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart,and delight in all righteousness.

Q. 114.But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?

A. No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience; yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God.

Q. 115.Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

A.First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin,and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavour and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.

For reflection:

What is different about this commandment from the other nine?

2 comments:

Charlie J. Ray said...

The Lord's Day 44 undercuts Arminianism and all other views placing man at the center of his own salvation and making his own efforts the deciding factor.

Reformation said...

Yes, it does do that. It's an excellent catechism. Memory of it should be required for a deacon upon entrance to ministry. It won't happen in America, unless an American leader--with influence--was influenced by the "government of biblical exegesis." Rather, what we see is the "government of go-along-to-get-along-to-all-be-one-in-Jesus," while the unabashed Anglo-Romewardizers grab the levers of power. Or, the "government of Newman, Pusey, and Keble."

Upon continuing to work, e.g. Philpott, am amazed and several simple points. One--allegiance to the biblical text in its unvarnished perspicuity. Second, sheer courage and integrity. "The numbers" game does not "govern biblical exegesis," as was frequently argued by the Papists.

This little catechism is also excellent and Reformed on the Table.

I, for one, am no following these leaders. Can't. Have read too much and know just a little too much to accomodate these "muddling meddlers of mindless mediocrity." Not alliterative exaggeration.