“Studying a sixteenth century document has nothing to do with real living faith!”
The objection is close to the surface whenever I talk about using the Heidelberg Catechism in real life — say, to teach youth or adults what the Christian faith is about.
This is followed by a second, corollary objection:
“I can’t memorize anything!”
The corollary is easy to respond to. I used to do a lot of stage acting. You can memorize a whole lot of things if you really want to–like a whole play. (Check out this cool TED talk on the topic!) really, memorization is not required — though it wouldn’t hurt.
But there is still the main point: knowing a text, even a text about Jesus, is not the same as knowing Jesus.
The Heidelberg Catechism helps, though, by pushing us to think about what and who we know when we know Jesus. If Christianity is a relationship with Jesus, then what kind of relationship is it?
Q.31 says that when we know Jesus we know him in three important kinds of relationship. He is our prophet. He is our priest. He is our king.
Now before you write this off as three outdated culturally irrelevant metaphors, let’s look at their source and meaning. “Christ” or “Messiah” means “anointed one.” These are three kinds of people who got anointed (i.e. got doused with olive oil–or the Holy Spirit) in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfills all these roles in the richest possible way.
- As “prophet” Heidelberg says Jesus teaches us God’s will for us. This is not about getting daily directions about what job to take or whom to marry. It is big picture stuff: God’s will for you is life, freedom, salvation, now and forever. It is also heart stuff: Jesus reveals what human life was supposed to look like before we botched it up. We know Jesus as the one whose every action teaches us the character we are intended to grow into.
- As “priest” the Catechism says Jesus does two things. First, way back when, he offered himself as sacrifice on the cross, making forgiveness possible. But that is just the beginning: Jesus is still our priest, standing before the Father to pray for us — constantly in our every need. We know Jesus as the one who goes before us to bring the help we need.
- Having Jesus as “king” might sound a bit bossy — but it means that our lives are governed by One who loves us. Our futures are in the hands of One who has the power to do all that is needed for us to flourish. We know Christ as our king who “guards us and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us.”
I’ve always known Jesus as my Friend. Thinking about him as my Prophet, my Priest and my King deepens and broadens my sense of who my Friend really is.
What roles most quickly come to mind when you think of who Jesus is toward you?
How are Prophet, Priest, and King helpful — or problematic?
Of the three, I think protestants today are most comfortable with king. We do a lot of singing about Jesus as our King and not a lot of talking about him as prophet or priest! Prophet was rich with meaning for people in the first century, and an important reference point for the Jews in understanding Jesus’ role. Today we are so detached from that immediate context and worldview that it seems foreign to view him as prophet. Of course that doesn’t mean we should not. And, priest today strikes many people as Catholic (Catholic in today’s sense of the word). Hebrews isn’t read enough. 🙂
Thanks Natasha!
For the people who wrote the Heidelberg Catechism “prophet” meant something like “interpreter and teacher of Scripture–God’s Word.” That was how they saw the biblical prophets, since they interpreted what God had already said in the Law. And that was handy for them as preachers in the 16h century since it meant they were in the tradition of the prophets. So for Jesus to be our prophet includes this — he interprets God’s will, as previously revealed in Scripture, as well as being the living Word of revelation himself.
For Protestants today I agree that “priest” seems like a foreign concept. Not so foreign back in the 16th century — which is why Luther could claim it in his famous “priesthood of all believers”! They saw priestly work as speaking the good news of God to people, and speaking on behalf of the people to God. Luther claimed that as our ministry, no matter who we are, since we are all joined to Christ, who is the great High Priest…from Hebrews, as you noted.
Thanks for your additional insights, Gary. I started reading the Heidelberg Catechism while waiting for a doctor’s appointment the other day (based on your post)! Amazingly rich. It’s not something I hear about in my non-denominational megachurch. 🙂
I think, when It comes down to it, people are more comfortable with the idea of Christ’s priestly and prophetic roles than his kingly role. Our culture bristles against giving another authority, even God
Clint, you make a good point — and it makes an interesting contrast with Natasha’s observation. How is it that we can sing and talk about Christ as our king and at the same time resist authority. Sometimes we make that resistance a positive value!
I’ve always appreciated the way the Heidelberg fleshes out “king” – not only one who rules and governs, but one who protects, defends, and wins our freedom.
Thanks Pam. And I have to think that we need to think hard about that freedom. It is so easy to think of it in terms of the freedoms our culture claims and values almost religiously. Surely Heidelberg is thinking in terms similar to Calvin — freedom from the condemnation of the law, freedom from sin, freedom to treat non-essentials as matters of choice — that kind of freedom
I did study (although not always voluntarily) the Heidelberg Catechism as a teen/young adult. And heard sermons based on it most Sunday evening services. Now, 25 years later, it pops into mind. Especially Q & A 1 during some difficult times with ill children. That’s gotta be the work of the Sustainer!
Great to have you here in the conversation Lisa! I’d wondered if any of the Canadian hits in my stats might have been you…
That is a great testimony of the power of Heidelberg and teaching tools like it. Study it when you are young and it is there inside when you need it. Memorizing Psalms and the passive memorization of the music we sing in worship can have similar effect.
I copied this one off for my Bible study girls.