The Heidelberg Catechism and the Church

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Date
2014
Authors
Van der Borght, E. A. J. G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
English: What is the ecumenical potential and what are the limitations of the teaching on the church in the Heidelberg Catechism 450 years after its publication? This contribution provides an analysis of the only two Questions/Answers in the HC that specifically deal with ecclesiology. It also searches for references to ministry. After comparing with other, much more elaborate expositions of the theological meaning on the church in catechisms written by members of the drafting team of the HC, the article puts the HC ecclesiology in historical perspectives and explains its conciseness on the issue. After describing more recent interpretations of the teaching of the church in the HC, the text offers a list of ecumenical potentials and limitations.
Description
Keywords
Heidelberg Catechism, Ecumenical potential, Ecclesiology, Church, Ministry
Citation
Van der Borght, E. A. J. G. (2014). The Heidelberg Catechism and the Church. Acta Theologica, 34, 261-279.