Christ the Only Head of His Church: Earliest Dutch Expositions on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 54

This article investigates the early reception in the Netherlands of the Heidelberg Catechism’s teaching about the church. The authors note that the expositions of hc 54 reflect the times in which they were written. The expositions firmly argue against Rome that Christ is the only head of the church. They also reflect the debate on election at the Synod of Dordt. This was a clear theological and spiritual difference with the hc itself, where this topic is very modestly addressed. The hc speaks pastorally about the perseverance of the saints. The expositions, however, develop this theme polemically against Rome and the Remonstrants. In the expositions, there are two lines of teaching about the assurance of faith. The first emphasizes the promises given to the church. Expositions in the second line point to a private testimony of the Holy Spirit and characteristics of a Christian lifestyle.