Der Heidelberger Katechismus ein reformierter Schlsseltext, hg.

. von Matthias Zeindler, Frank Mathwig, Martin Ernst Hirzel, (Zurich: Theologischer Verlag), 2013.

The 450th anniversary of the publication of the Heidelberg Catechism has seen a flurry of publications including monographs, essays, and special conference collections. The currentlyunder-consideration work is among the most engaging of the lot (which I have encountered). The collection consists of four major sections, the first asking historical and dogmatic questions, the second ethical and practical-theological questions, the third ecumenical questions and the fourth current questions (i.e., questions related to the Catechisms current relevance). The volume commences with a powerfully instructive contribution by Peter Opitz in his essay Historische Zugnge zum Heidelberger Katechismus aus Schweizer Sicht. Here Opitz leads readers through a well written brilliantly conceived masterfully executed summary of the historical underpinnings of the Catechism. The important work of Olevian, Erastus, Bullinger, and of course Ursinus are considered but so is the German Elector Frederick III. Opitz also shows the connections between Bullingers theology of the Supper and the theology of the Catechism in its regard. Opitz even shows how influential Bullingers various sermons and tractates were in the formation of the Catechism. Its a brilliant essay. And its a fantastic start to a volume which strives to ask and answer the question, is the catechism still relevant for Reformed Christians today. The answer, unsurprisingly, is a resounding yes.

Or as the editors state it: Heute muss man fragen, ob der Heidelberger Katechismus ber seine historische Wirksamkeit hinaus noch relevant ist. Dieser Problematik mchte sich der vorliegende Band stellen. Die Herausgeber sind der Auffasung, dass der Heidelberger bis heute Antworten fr ein zeitgenssisches Christsein bereithlt (p. 11). The papers in this volume were first presented as a series of lectures on the Catechism at the University of Bern in the Spring Semester of 2013. Or rather, and more precisely, most of them were. They address so many intriguing aspects of the Catechism. For example, what is the Catechisms view of the Supper? What is the Christology of the Catechism? What sort of Ethic does the Catechism evoke? How is it related to the Liturgy? How does it aid in the education in belief? How do the question and answer format function as a pedagogical tool today? How does the Catechism relate to other forms of Christian belief? Those are just a few of the questions the essays address. Contributors are stellar Reformed scholars like Opitz, Hirzel, Matthwig, Zeindler, Hofheinz, Koch, Locher, Schoberth, and Ricca. Persons interested in the history and relevance of the Heidelberg Catechism are strongly encouraged, even urged, to acquire this collection. Doing so, and then reading it, will result in a first class education in connection with one of Reformed Christianitys most important, powerful, and abiding instruction-books. Between the covers of this book is an Upper Level graduate school Seminar.

Jim West Quartz Hill School of Theology