Reformed Evangelical Synod of America

Posts Tagged ‘Ecumenical Christianity’

John Nevin’s History and Genius of the Heidelberg Catechism is a short yet powerful work that introduces the Heidelberg Catechism in its original German context.

In the American experience, the Heidelberg Catechism is normally interpreted in correlation with other confessions. In the German Reformed setting in America, it stood alone as the sole confession of that church. That was a unique situation. In Hungary, the Heidelberg Catechism is held in conjunction with the 2nd Helvetic Confession and in churches descended from Holland, that catechism is juxtaposed with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of the Synod of Dordt. American Presbyterians while holding to the Westminster standards often esteemed the Heidelberg catechism highly alongside those documents.

In the original context of the Palatinate, the Heidelberg can be said to be held in conjunction with the prevailing Protestant confession of that day – Melancthon’s Augsburg Confession! When the catechism was tested for it’s orthodoxy, it was by Melancthon’s document that the catechism was judged.

As the Reformed Evangelical Synod of America continues to form, we will adopt a modern language version of the Heidelberg and it will be held in conjunction not only with the historic creeds but also with our own Articles of Religion. These articles are based on the 39 Articles of the Anglican church with our own concerns thoroughly expressed.

Our intention in following this pattern is to create a synod where the Heidelberg Catechism can be lived out in a context very similar to that which formulated the document – a churchly body committed to the historic faith of the church across the ages and renewed in the age of Reformation.

For us, the History and Genius of the Heidelberg Catechism are too wonderful to be left in the past. They must be fleshed out in contemporary mission!

+Chuck Huckaby
Bishop
Reformed Evangelical Synod of America

What is the RESA?
The Reformed Evangelical Synod of America is an ecclesiastical body dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through Word, Sacrament, and Service. Members of the RESA have gathered together from Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, and Eastern traditions of the Church in a spirit of unity and cooperation to make known far and wide the saving power of Christ. While maintaining the Doctrines of Grace preached in the ancient Church and recovered during the time of the Reformation, our Synod also retains the Historic Episcopate, an ancient and venerable form of Church government, handed down from the primitive Church.

Why the RESA?
The Reformed Evangelical Synod of America is a home for those dedicated to the sovereignty of God’s grace and the primacy of his Word. We stand firm in our conviction that the Holy Scriptures are the infallible Word of God, while at the same time encouraging study of the Church Fathers – both ancient and reformed. For us the Fathers never overshadow Scripture, which we believe contains all things necessary to salvation; their role is to illumine Scripture for us with their words, and to keep us in a historical continuity of belief that, sadly, is lacking in much of Christendom today.

Why the Historic Episcopate?
The Reformed Evangelical Synod of America has adopted the historic episcopate as its means of ecclesiastical government because of its ancient roots and its ability to connect believers from various streams in Christ’s holy Church.

How does the RESA worship?
The Reformed Evangelical Synod of America worships according to the form contained in its approved version of The Book of Common Prayer, which brings together elements from our many root traditions in a harmonious whole. The weekly preaching of the Word and sharing of Communion in the celebration of the Divine Service is at the heart of our worship, as is regular immersion in Sacred Scripture through daily prayer in the Church and the home.

Conclusion
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