Calvyn en die Heidelbergse Kategismus

Abstract

To ascertain the influence of Calvin on the Heidelberg Catechism has been complicated by at least three circumstances: (1) Olevianus' acknowledge­ment that the catechism was the work of many pious people from Switzer­land: (2) the fact that many facets of the Catechism's content were common currency during the 16th century; (3) the obvious independence of the Reform movement in the Palitinate. In this article it is argued that the typical Calvinian accent on the three-fold office of Christ as reflected in the Heidelberg Catechism is perhaps the dearest example of Calvin’s influen­ce. Yet even in this respect the Heidelberg Catechism retains its own cha­racter by condensing Calvin's exposition of the triplex munus in his Genevan Catechism.