What Is The Doctrine Of The Church? Zacharias Ursinus

Republished with permission from ReformationUCC.org

Zacharias Ursinus was one of the major influences on the Heidelberg Catechism. His work, the Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism remains a “standard” and authoritative resource into the meaning of the catechism, thanks to his ability to speak to the intent of the authors in framing the document.

At the time the United Church of Christ was formed, the Heidelberg Catechism was the confessional document considered most expressive of the common unity that existed between the Congregationalists and the Evangelical and Reformed churches which would form the UCC. As a result, in 1963 when the catechism was translated afresh into English for its 400th anniversary, the United Church Press published not only the new catechism with scripture proofs from the Revised Standard Version and the New English Bible, they also published several related resources including a work titled The Heidelberg Catechism and Commentary. Rev. Andre Pery’s French commentary was translated especially for this project. Obviously we once valued the catechism and invested significantly in disseminating its message.

To be sure, the UCC has recently issued a new edition of the catechism called:The Heidelberg Catechism: A New Translation for the Twenty-first Century. It’s publication sadly does not signal a widespread return to the faith of the Reformation as evidenced by actions by UCC leadership since its publication. The UCC is more known for it’s advocacy and enabling of sexual promiscuity than the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We keep the catechism handy to feign orthodoxy and pay lip service to our history, but neglect the message of our catechism which links us to the historic and universal church of the creeds. The irenic tone of the Heidelberg Catechism should not be mistaken as sanctioning our current path. Ursinus speaks to this fact in the opening of his commentary in the article “What Is The Doctrine Of The Church?”

As we reflect upon the blessings of the past year and consider our calling in the coming year, it is worth revisiting his words and evaluating our lives and ministries in light of them. By Ursinus’ standard – the author of the catechism we have published continually in one form or another since the UCC’s inception – do we still, as a group, classify as a “True Church”? If not, what must our repentance look like?

Note: Any italics below are from the text of the Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

What Is The Doctrine Of The Church?

The doctrine of the church is the entire and uncorrupted doctrine of the law and the gospel concerning the true God, together with his will, works, and worship; divinely revealed, and comprehended in the writings of the prophets and apostles, and confirmed by many miracles and divine testimonies; through which the Holy Spirit works effectually in the hearts of the elect and gathers from the whole human race an everlasting church, in which God is glorified, both in this, and in the life to come.

This doctrine is the chief and most expressive mark of the true church, which God designs to be visible in the world, and to be separated from the rest of mankind, according to these declarations of scripture: “Keep yourselves from idols.” “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” “If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your houses, neither bid him God speed.” “Be ye holy, touch no unclean thing, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord. Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.” (1 John 5:21. 2 Cor. 6:17. 2 John 10. Isa. 52:11. Rev. 18:4)

God wills that his church be separate and distinct from the world, for the following considerations: First, on account of his own glory; for, as he himself will not be joined with idols and devils, so he will not have his truth confounded with falsehood, and his church with her enemies, the children of the devil; but will have them carefully distinguished and separated. It would be reproachful to God to suppose that he would have and acknowledge as his children, such as persecute him; yea, it would be blasphemy to make God the author of false doctrine, and the defender of the wicked; for “what concord has Christ with Beliel.” (2 Cor. 6.14.) Secondly, on account of the consolation and salvation of his people; for it is necessary that the church should be visible in the world, that the elect scattered abroad among the whole human race, may know with what society they ought to unite themselves, and that, being gathered into the church, they may enjoy this sure comfort, that they are members of that family in which God delights, and which has the promises of everlasting life. For it is the will of God that all those who are to be saved, should be gathered into the church in this life. Out of the church there is no salvation.

How the church may be known, and what are the marks by which it may be distinguished from the various sects will be shown when we come to speak regularly upon the subject of the church.  We may, however, here say that there are three marks by which the church is known: Purity of doctrine-the proper use of the sacraments, and obedience to God according to all the parts of this doctrine whether of faith or practice. And if it be here objected, that great vices have often made there appearance in the church, we would reply that these are not defended and adhered to by the church, as by the various sects. Yea, the church is the first to censure and condemn them. Hence, if there are faults in the church, these are disapproved of and removed. As long as this state of things lasts, so long the church remains.

Related Link: Heidelberg Catechism Project