![]() ![]() Wouldn’t it be great if we could interview Ursinus? The Heidelberg Catechism is law and gospel. Ursinus divided his catechism by these two words, “The catechism in its primary and most general sense…may be divided as the doctrine of the church, into the law and gospel.” The doctrine of the church is the law and the gospel. ![]() It is as if he has written two beautiful books that read as two eschatological realities: one condemnation, and the other condemnation no more. It is as if we can know God by two means. 3 Lastly, each has its own manner of revelation-the law is known from nature, and the gospel is divinely revealed. He says the law is conditional (i.e., perfect obedience), whereas the gospel is by faith alone in Christ alone. ![]() For Ursinus, the law prescribes, instructs, and forbids, whereas the gospel promises, forgives, and makes us the righteousness of Christ. ![]() 2 He calls the gospel the person and work of Christ. Zacharias Ursinus, the chief architect of the Heidelberg Catechism, in the introduction of his commentary on the aforementioned, asked, “What is the doctrine of the church?” The doctrine of the church is the law and gospel, “the law and gospel are the chief and general divisions of the holy scriptures, and comprise the entire doctrine comprehended therein.” 1 With the Apostle Paul, he calls the law our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. ![]()
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