Chapel #3: Heidelberg Catechism #3

  Heidelberg Catechism #3:

Questions 3,4,5

Daniel Ekasaputra Ongkowijojo

Wednesday, 6th of August

(Recap: The first and second questions were about how God was our relief and joy in life or death, and about how God has freed us from sin and suffering. In the first meeting, it was an introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism, a catechism unique for being comforting and was made by Zacharias Ursinus (more subjective/mystical) and edited by Caspar Olevianus (more objective).

The third question of the catechism is "How do you know your sin and misery?". Take a look at Romans 3:20. It says through the law (Torah), we become aware of our sin. We can use the Torah as a mirror, which objectively shows our sin and its size. Torah also has Good News, and both gives us hope and reveals us of our depravity. 

The fourth question asks about what the Torah teaches. Matthew 24:37-40 answers this question: its main, overarching teaching is to love God and our equals (Tuhan dan sesama). The fifth question of the catechism asks, can we obey the Torah's main commands perfectly? No, we cannot, due to our sinful nature that is prone to hate God and our neighbor.

Those were the next three questions and their answers in the Heidelberg Catechism, which reflects on our sin and its depth. Speaking of reflecting.....

Reflection

I just re-learned that we can use the Torah as a mirror, while I once learned already that "God's Law can be a mirror" in Sunday School, but I already forgot about that. This chapel session today refreshed my knowledge about that purpose of God's Law. I think the fifth question's answer is very good because the word "hate" truly describes our distance from God. 

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