November 2007 - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Homiletical Use of the Heidelberg Catechism
“Should we preach on catechisms or confessions as such” His
response is: “Our mandate is to preach the Word. To resort instead
to expounding a human document is to confuse our people
by blurring the distinction between what is normative revelation
and what is to be judged by that revelation.” 40 Macleod’s position
is clear. Preaching on a catechism is not preaching the Word,
at least not what Paul had in mind when he said to Timothy, “Preach
the word!” (II Tim. 4:2).
A somewhat surprising and refreshing response to the age-old
accusation that preaching on creeds and catechisms is not the
preaching of the Word of God is offered by Timothy George in a
chapter entitled “Doctrinal Preaching,” in the Handbook of Contemporary
Preaching. He advises preachers:
Use confessions and catechisms to give a framework for doctrinal
sermons. Some preachers, including even renowned evangelical
ones, have been reluctant to follow this method. They prefer the
sermon to arise directly from the Bible and not from human formulations,
not even very good ones. However, it need not be either/or,
after all, confessions and catechisms are derived from the Bible. They
have no independent authority apart from the Bible, and they must
always be tested by, and stand revisable in the light of the Bible.
They are deeply anchored in the history of particular faith communities
and can be a useful device for passing on the faith intact to the
next generation. 41
The Reformed have always rejected the charge that Heidelberg
Catechism preaching is not the preaching of the Word of God.
They have contended that, because its contents stand in full agreement
with the Word of God—as every Reformed minister avows
who signs the Formula of Subscription—and are an explanation
of the Word of God, it can unhesitatingly be affirmed that Heidel-
40. Macleod, “Preaching and Systematic Theology,” p. 269.
41. Timothy George, “Doctrinal Preaching,” in Handbook of Contemporary
Preaching, ed. Michael Duduit (Nashville: Broadman Press,
1993), p. 97.
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