In 1562, Elector Frederick III of the Palatinate, a princely state of the Holy Roman Empire (think Germany), ordered the preparation of a new catechism for his territory. A new catechism would serve three purposes: (1) as a tool for teaching children, (2) as a guide for preachers, and (3) as a form for confessional unity among the Protestant factions in the Palatinate. Frederick wanted a unifying catechism that avoided theological labels and was plainly rooted in the texts of Scripture.
To that end, he commissioned a team of theological professors and ministers (along with Frederick himself ) to draft a new catechism. Although the catechism was truly a team effort (including Caspar Olevianus who used to be considered a coauthor of the catechism, but now is seen as simply one valuable member of the committee), there is little doubt the chief author was Zacharias Ursinus.
Ursinus, a professor at the University in Heidelberg, was born on July 18, 1534, in what is today Poland but at that time was part of Austria. Ursinus was the chief architect of the Heidelberg Catechism, basing many of the questions and answers on his own shorter catechism, and to a lesser extent, his larger catechism. The Heidelberg Catechism reflects Ursinus theological convictions (firmly Protestant with Calvinist leanings) and his warm, irenic spirit.
This new catechism was first published in Heidelberg (the leading city of the Palatinate) in January 1563, going through several revisions that same year. The Catechism was quickly translated into Latin and Dutch, and soon after into French and English. Besides the Bible, John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, the Heidelberg Catechism is the most widely circulated book in the world.
Since its publication in 1563, the Heidelberg Catechism has been used in scores of languages and is widely praised as the most devotional, most loved catechism of the Reformation.
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Moody has given away the last of the free books. I assume that if you don’t get a “sorry you’re too late” email then you should get a book. I hope it serves you well.
