Heidelberg Catechism Quotes & Sayings

The sixteenth-century Heidelberg Catechism, which unfortunately is little known among believers today, provides a framework for understanding the monergistic work of the Spirit. It's structured around three words: guilt, grace, and gratitude. These words refer to our guilt, God's grace, and our response of gratitude. — Anonymous

you were to ask Christians around the world what God wants from the people he has saved, most would probably answer "obedience." There is great truth in that answer, but it is not enough. If the sovereign God's primary goal in sanctifying believers is simply to make us more holy, it is hard to explain why most of us make only "small beginnings" on the road to personal holiness in this life, as the Heidelberg Catechism puts it (see Catechism Q. 113). In reality, God wants something much more precious in our lives than mere outward conformity to his will. After all, obedience is tricky business and can be confusing to us. We can be obedient outwardly while sinning wildly on the inside, as the example of the Pharisees makes clear. In fact, many of my worst sins have been committed in the context of my best obedience. — Barbara R. Duguid

The Heidelberg Catechism is like a refreshing bath with cool gospel water. — Kevin DeYoung

We use the Heidelberg Catechism in our worship. Sometimes we read it responsively. Other times I'll work it into my communion liturgy. I'll quote it in my sermons from time to time. I've seen the Catechism used effectively as Sunday school material. — Kevin DeYoung