Freedom in the sense of the Heidelberg Catechism-an orientation in the problems of modern liberty
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Date
2014
Authors
Busch, E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
English: The Heidelberg Catechism courageously mentions that Christians participate in
the work of Christ as the eternal king. This means that, during their life on earth,
Christians fight against sin “with a free conscience”. These words anticipate the call
for human rights in the French Revolution. Although the Catechism uses the word
“free” only at this point, the text shows the context in which we have to understand
“freedom”. It instructs us that we have to understand the word not as a freedom
“from” and, therefore, not as freedom only for myself, but as freedom “for” a life with
others. The reason for this is that real freedom is founded in the gift of the divine
liberator, who loves us only along with our neighbours. We are free in relation to God
and our fellow human beings.
Description
Keywords
Freedom, Heidelberg Catechism, Modern liberty
Citation
Busch, E. (2014). Freedom in the sense of the Heidelberg Catechism-an orientation in the problems of modern liberty. Acta Theologica, 34, 129-138.