Margit Ernst-Habib

But Why Are You Called a Christian?: An Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism Margit Ernst-Habib

This volume introduces the Heidelberg Catechism as one of the world's foremost and prevailing Christian (not only Reformed) faith documents, due to its intellectual clarity as well as its personal style. At the same time, the introduction invites the reader to engage the Heidelberg Catechism in conversation with contemporary Christian faith (Busch) while "Learning Jesus Christ through the Heidelberg Catechism" (Barth), and understanding the Heidelberg Catechism as a book of "Comfort and Joy" (Kuyvenhoven), as well as a guide to "Christian living" (Rozema). In that sense, the tone of the introduction not neutral, but rather theological/confessional. Portraying the Heidelberg Catechism throughout as "Schoolbook - Prayer book - Lectionary - Confession - Compendium", this volume describes the Heidelberg Catechism's traditional use in churches throughout history, while engaging the reader on different levels and eventually enabling him or her to begin answering the vital question: "But why are you called a Christian?" Designed for classroom use, this book belongs on the bookshelf of all professors and students of Reformed and Presbyterian colleges and universities. It is also an essential text for pastors of Reformed and Presbyterian churches, as well as Bible study groups.