This editorial was not written around the time of Halloween. Those are not the kind of skeletons I mean. Some perhaps have skeletons in their closet. I do not mean those, either. We will leave them bones undisturbed. This is actually a festive edition of Clarion in which we re­member the 450th anniversary of the first publication of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563).

We all have a skeleton. We are made of skin and bones. Add some muscles, sinews, and some fat, and presto, you have a functioning body. At least, if no bones are broken, for then the body does not function anymore. When bones are broken, they need to be set, carted, and healed. It takes time, at least six weeks' worth of time.

So how can someone write an editorial about the skeleton of the Heidelberg Catechism? Because that's the point of this exercise; we will dig beneath the skin to find out if the Catechism has anything solid inside it. We're going deep. Roger and out.

Under the Surface⤒🔗

When we look at how the Heidelberg Catechism was built, we notice that it contains an impressive bone structure. Let us identify these bones, for without them the body really cannot function.

The structures which we find are the following: the Articles of the Christian faith (The Apostles' Creed), the Sacraments (holy supper and baptism), The Ten Com­mandments, and The Lord's Prayer. To be sure, if you really want to get technical about it, in each of these structures we see another bones system apparent, but for the sake of brevity, we'll control ourselves.

At this point I would like you to carefully identify these sets of bones in the realization that if you lose even one of them, the whole thing collapses. As a matter of fact, did you ever wonder how the Heidelberg Catechism could last so long and withstand the onslaught of the ages? Yep, it's in the bones.

Why is the Heidelberg Catechism so strong and lasting? At a time when many sing the praise of the super­structure, I'd like to say something about the infra­structure. This catechism has quite the skeleton.

The Apostles' Creed←⤒🔗

You see, the Heidelberg Catechism is not a complete­ly new creed that did not exist before 1563. The main component and basic structure of this catechism is that it elaborates on an existing creed, called the Apostles' Creed. This creed is one of the ecumenical creeds, so it has an ancient appeal and a global significance.

These bones are made of solid stock. The Apostles' Creed is based on a creed that was used in Rome and goes back to 200 A.D. If antiquity adds any signifi­cance (which it doesn't, Belgic Confession, Article 7) then certainly the Heidelberg Catechism can boast of its antecedents.

It is called the Apostles' Creed not because it was writ­ten by the apostles but because it contains a brief sum­mary of their teachings. In the Book of Praise we find this remarkable commendation of the Apostles' Creed: that it was written "in sublime simplicity, in unsurpassable brevity, in beautiful order, and with liturgical solemnity" (p. 437). Wow, that is quite the description. Notice the adjectives: sublime, unsurpassable, beautiful, and sol­emn. I did not invent them, but I wish I did.

At bottom the Apostles' Creed can be described in this way only because is supremely Trinitarian, "I believe in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." You'll find that also in the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 8.

Word and Sacraments←⤒🔗

We know how important it is to have the solid preaching of the Word. But the Heidelberg Catechism immediately adds that the Word comes in union with the holy sacraments.

The matter of the sacraments is not of secondary importance because "both the Word and the sacraments are intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation" (LD 25).

The Heidelberg Catechism is Christological because the Apostles' Creed directs us to Christ and him alone as Saviour and Lord. I love this sentence, "Our entire sal­vation rests on Christ's one sacrifice for us on the cross." Those are solid bones!

The western church had somehow lost the connection between the Word and the sacraments, and therefore lost sight of being saved out of grace alone, by faith. The Heidelberger said: back to the original connections if you want to get this train rolling again.

The Ten Commandments←⤒🔗

The Heidelberg Catechism also restored the law of God to its glory and importance. Faith leads us to con­version and repentance, to sanctification as a lifelong process. Therefore we need to esteem the Ten Command­ments properly and understand them as rule of gratitude and guide to holiness.

There are not many creeds that include an extensive and precise explanation of the Ten Commandments. Yet the Heidelberg Catechism has faithfully instructed believ­ers in the way that they should walk as God's children.

Nowadays many churches of Reformed background no longer read the Ten Commandments as part of the Sunday liturgy. Some will say triumphantly: we're past that stage. We are free Reformed. Hardly! In a time such as this the Heidelberg Catechism is sublimely refreshing.

We cannot keep these commandments perfectly. But we are obliged to try, and to grow in obedience. When we strive to do this, we'll discover another set of bones.

The Lord's Prayer←⤒🔗

The mighty catechism leaves us with both knees on the floor. We will find that we need to pray for God's grace and the Holy Spirit. The Catechism tells us in very simple and compelling terms that prayer is "the most im­portant part of the thankfulness which God requires of us" (LD 45).

It is not always easy to pray. I understand that. But if I do not take it to the Lord in prayer, I'll never get anywhere. The Lord says: talk to me. Tell me everything. Ask me, for all I have promised you. I'll give it.

Somebody said: teach me to pray. Then he taught them to pray: Our Father, who is in heaven. It is the simplest and most sublime prayer. The Christian life is dysfunc­tional without daily prayer. And the Heidelberg Catechism leads us quietly through the busyness of life to the simple solitude of prayer which I may share on Sundays in the communion of saints. One prayer, together.

The next 450 years←⤒🔗

Well, I'm not a prophet, but I dare to say that the Old Heidelberger is healthy and well, and can last another 450 years. I'm thankful that it was used in my lifetime as a teaching creed.

You see, like I said, it all comes down to the bones. Somewhere beneath all those bones beats my heart.