Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for heidelberg catechism

The Paradoxical Presence of Christ (Heidelberg Catechism Q47)

August 26, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

A couple weeks ago I was reflecting on a much-neglected biblical teaching: the ascension of Christ. We may neglect it because there is a conundrum in the ascension: the puzzling, if not outright paradoxical, presence of Christ. Ascension vs. Presence The last scenes of Jesus’ earthly ministry are emphatic about two completely opposite things: Jesus […]

Filed Under: Bible, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Ascension, extra calvinisticum, heidelberg catechism

Why Proclaim that Christ Ascended? (Heidelberg Catechism Q46)

August 9, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen 8 Comments

Why proclaim Christ ascended?

One traditional Christian teaching that many today simply ignore is Christ’s “Ascension.” Why proclaim that Christ ascended into heaven? One answer is that it is simply biblical. You find it at the end of both Mark and Luke, but Acts 1 is the version that sticks in our collective memory. The risen Christ has just […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Ascension of Christ, heidelberg catechism, Question 46

Why Reformed Theology? (via Heidelberg Catechism Q. 18)

August 26, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

I find Christian faith coherent, intellectually rigorous, and deeply soul-satisfying. Why? Probably because I have been fed a hearty diet of Reformed Theology. I did my doctoral dissertation on John Calvin, the Reformed theologian who shaped the tradition more than any other. For a good long while I’ve regularly taught the theological summaries that make up […]

Filed Under: Bible, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Anselm, Athanasius, Atonement, Christology, heidelberg catechism, Reformed Theology

Presbyterian G.A. Approves New Translation of Heidelberg Catechism!

June 21, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

I am so very happy to share the news that Friday night, the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) gave final approval to the new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism! In 2008 I was called to participate in a national committee to resolve five translation problems in the version used by the PC(USA) since […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism Tagged With: Book of Confessions, heidelberg catechism, PC(USA) General Assembly

Vocabulary Lesson: What’s Up with the “Ascension”? (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 49)

June 3, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

ascension

  We just rushed by the most neglected day of the Church’s year: the “Ascension”, forty days after Easter when the risen Christ left the earth and went to heaven. Part of the problem: the original event happened on a Thursday. Churches don’t gather to take notice until the Sunday afterward. Another issue: Jesus lifting off without benefit […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology, Vocabulary Tagged With: Ascension, Church year, heidelberg catechism, Holy Spirit, Intercession

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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