“What is your only comfort in life and in death?” This is the first question that is found in the Heidelberg Catechism.

The Heidelberg Catechism was first published in Heidelberg, Germany in 1563. The catechism contains 129 questions and answers divided into 52 Lord’s days. Its original purpose was to be read in one year, either on Sundays or during the week for personal devotions.  

In The Good News We Almost Forgot, Kevin DeYoung simplifies the Heidelberg by separating all of the questions and answers into 52 small chapters. In these chapters, DeYoung expounds on a few questions and provides commentary about the answers.

This is helpful to the reader in understanding the author’s intent of the question, as well as how they answer them with biblical references. While the language of the Heidelberg can be a bit wordy, DeYoung provides a simple narrative that promotes clarity regarding big theological truths.

Not only does the Heidelberg Catechism teach the eternal truths of scripture, it can also be used as a tool of instruction for new and older believers alike. This catechism can help increase anyone’s knowledge of the gospel, thus allowing us to be better stewards of His word.

I am excited to share that the high school ministry has started working through DeYoung’s book The Good News We Almost Forgot. This book has helped lay a solid foundation to better understand the gospel by seeing our sin and misery (guilt), how we’re set free from this sin and misery (grace), and how we are to thank God for this deliverance (gratitude). 

I started this book review with question 1 from the Heidelberg Catechism: “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” I’ll leave you with the encouraging answer:

“That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life, and in death – to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.”