Guilt,
Grace, and Gratitude
Lectures
on the Heidelberg Catechism
Volumes
One and Two
by
George W. Bethune
The
Banner of Truth Trust
P.
O. Box 621
Carlisle,
Pennsylvania 10-13
2001
495pp 506pp
Hard Cover
George
W. Bethune (1805-1862) was a gifted speaker and writer.
These two volumes are considered his best work.
When Frederick III came to Heidelberg Germany in 1559 he promised to read
the Word of God every night for wisdom and to include
Psalm 31: AIn
thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.@ Following the advice of
Melanchthon, Frederick
invited two gifted young scholars Zacharas Ursinus ad Casper Olevianus to
compose a catechism to be used by the Reformed churches in the Palatinate. The
Heidelberg Catechism was the result of their work and became official in 1563.
It soon spread beyond the
Palatinate and was especially popular in Holland..
Volume
one begins with the first question in the Heidelberg Catechism AWhat
is thine only comfort in life and in death?@ It contains 22 lectures with the last one treating
the message for the Nineteenth Lord=s Day, Lecture XXII , Christ on the Throne as
Ruler and Judge, questions XX. XXI. and
XXll.
Volume two includes lectures 23 through
lectures 47. The 47th lecture
is the message for the thirty-eighth Lord=s
Day and discusses the Purpose of the Lord=s
Day.
These
volumes were published by Mrs. Bethune following her husband=s
death. The 2001 edition
issued by Banner of Truth is beautifully done, good print and a valuable
addition to any library. It is to
be regretted that George W, Bethune was unable to complete the study of all the
questions in the Heidelberg catechism but these two volumes are a rich treasure
to be enjoyed.
