Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord’s Day 39

104. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT?

     A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me; and also that I be patient with their failings-for through them God chooses to rule us.

I might be preaching to the choir this week, in that most all who read this post are parents, but the catechism this week speaks to the God ordained parental authority over children.

Honoring parents is honor unto the Lord.  The Heidelberg reminds us that to honor our parents involves love, loyalty, submission, and obedience.  Submission to authority is something that we are called to in a variety of relationships throughout the Christian life; parent-child, wife-husband, slaves-master, church-elders, citizens-governing authorities, etc.  We are setting are children up for disaster if we do not train them up to recognize the importance of authority. 

                                                                                                               

Obedience to authorities is very much a spiritual issue.  While there are no perfect parents, husbands, employers, elders, policemen, political figures, etc…our Creator God, who set up all of these roles of authority, is indeed perfect.  So our honor and submission to these authority roles is a demonstration of trust in our Great, Perfect, Sovereign God.

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord’s Day 38

103. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT?

A.     First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I regularly attend the assembly of God’s people to learn what God’s Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through His Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath.

Are the Sabbath laws binding on Christians today?  This is a question that rightly comes up during a study on the 4^th commandment.  In short, I believe the answer is no.  The language of Colossians 2 and Romans 14 seem to communicate that the Sabbath is no longer something that God requires of Christians under the New Covenant.  There is also an absence of any New Testament command to observe the Sabbath.

On this issue, I appreciate the answer that is provided in the Heidelberg Catechism.  Without applying any Sabbatarian laws on the church, it points to our responsibilities as New Covenant Christians to observe the Lord’s Day.  While those under the Mosaic law were commanded to rest on the seventh day (the Sabbath), we as New Covenant Christians are commanded to worship on the first day of the week (the Lord’s Day).

This is not to say that the Lord’s Day is a Christian Sabbath.  There is no evidence in the New Testament that Sunday is to replace the Sabbath.  Dr. Mohler, in his sermon on the 4^th commandment reminds us that these days have two different purposes;

-       While the Sabbath was for rest, the Lord’s Day is for worship.   

Sunday is important. The Catechism says we are to “regularly attend” so that we “learn what God’s Word teaches”.  We gather, sing, pray, give, hear the Word proclaimed, fellowship, and observe the Lord’s Supper because Sunday is for worship.

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Thought you might be interested to watch the following minute long video.  Michael Horton is asked what five books every Christian should read.  Check out #4!

Lord’s Day 37

101. Q. BUT MAY WE SWEAR AN OATH IN GOD’S NAME IF WE DO IT REVERENTLY?

     A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good.  Such oaths are approved in God’s Word and were rightly used by Old and New Testament believers.

102. Q. MAY WE SWEAR BY SAINTS OR OTHER CREATURES?

     A. No.  A legitimate oath means calling upon god as the one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely.  No creature is worthy of such honor.

The Heidelberg dedicates two days to dealing with the 3^rd commandment.  In our context, it is hard to understand the need for such emphasis.  However, this was an important issue amongst the reformers.  In the 16th century, you had many swearing vows to saints and angels, and as Kevin DeYoung points out in his book, ex-Catholics who did not know how to think in regards to the vows that they had made; monasticism, celibacy, etc. (175)

The Catechism then, pastorally helps us think biblically about oaths.  Since “oaths are approved in God’s Word and were rightly used by Old and New Testament believers," there are places where oaths or vows are appropriate.   However, since God alone “knows my heart,” it is sinful to “swear by saints or other created things” in that “no creature is worthy of such honor.”

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord's Day 36

99. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE THIRD COMMANDMENT?

     A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.  In a word, it requires that we use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that we may properly confess Him, pray to Him, and praise Him in everything we do and say.

100. Q. IS BLASHPHEMY OF GOD’S NAME BY SWEARING AND CURSING REALLY SUCH SERIOUS SIN THAT GOD IS ANGRY ALSO WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT DO ALL THEY CAN TO HELP PREVENT IT AND FORBID IT?

     A. Yes indeed.  No sin is greater, no sin makes God more angry than blaspheming His name.  That is why He commanded the death penalty for it.

You will have to forgive me this week, as it has been quite a whirlwind around our household, but I am unable to provide any sort of commentary on today’s reading. Instead, I will link to a sermon by Albert Mohler on the 3^rd commandment for those who desire to think upon this further.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Mohler sermon

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord's Day 35

96. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SECOND COMMANDMENT?

     A. That we in no way make any image of God nor worship Him in any other way than HE has commanded in His Word.

97. Q. MAY WE THEN NOT MAKE ANY IMAGE AT ALL?

     A. God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way.  Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one’s intention is to worship them or to serve God through them.

98. Q. BUT MAY NOT IMAGES BE PERMITTED IN THE CHURCHES AS TEACHING AIDS FOR THE UNLEARNED?

     A. No, we shouldn’t try to be wiser than God.  He wants His people instructed by the living preaching of His Word-not by idols that cannot even talk.

In seminary, I remember Dr. Mohler distinguishing the first two commandments by teaching that the 1^st warns us against worshiping the wrong god(s).  We are to worship the One True God, the right God. The 2^nd now warns against worshiping the right God the wrong way.  Thus the first two commandments point to worshiping the right God the right way.

The answer to Q. 97 reminds us that “God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way.”  God is too majestic!  Kevin DeYoung writes, “His glory cannot be captured in a picture or an image or a form…His glory is too great to be fully seen.”

We do not need images to come to know God; He has given us His Word.  His all-sufficient Word.  2 Peter 1:19 calls it a “more fully confirmed” word, a more certain testimony than even eye witnesses.