The first commandment in the Heidelberg Catechism: Theological insights of Philipp Melanchthon and Zacharias Ursinus

Abstract

This article focuses on the exposition of the first commandment in the Heidelberg Catechism (HC). Reconstructions of the original German and Latin texts are presented. Zacharias Ursinus, the primary author of the HC, was a student of Philipp Melanchthon in Wittenberg. Two important publications of Melanchthon have been revisited in search of the theological background and context behind the HC. Ursinus’ expositions of the first commandment in his Small and Large Catechisms, as well as some of the insights into his dogmatic lectures are explained in an effort to create a better understanding of the exposition of the HC.

Die artikel fokus op die uitleg van die eerste gebod in die Heidelbergse Kategismus (HK). Rekonstruksies van die oorspronklike Duitse en Latynse tekste word voorgelê. Zacharias Ursinus, die primêre outeur van die HK, was ’n leerling van Philipp Melanchthon in Wittenberg. Twee belangrike publikasies van Melanchthon is nagevors in die soeke na die teologiese denkwêreld as agtergrond tot die HK. Ursinus se uitleg van die eerste gebod in sy Klein en Groot Kategismusse, asook sommige van die insigte wat in sy die dogmatieklesings vervat is, word verduidelik in ’n poging om ’n beter begrip van die uitleg van die HK teweeg te bring.