Another idea I have for this blog is a short Q & A; a dialogue between myself (Pat) and our resident theologian (Lane). I figure to start each post with a thought or question or confusion about the Heidelberg Catechism question of the week, and let Lane provide his ideas in response.
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So, to begin with, why would the authors of the Heidelberg Catechism write in their first Q&A that our only comfort in life... is Jesus Christ?
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That sounds pretty harsh. It reminds me of a college professor (I don't remember if it was Early American Lit or Early American History) that told us that "Calvinism was responsible for driving the first two or three generations of Americans crazy with fear and misery." It's also reminiscent of that old saw that Calvinism is based on the fear that someone, somewhere, might be happy.
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It seems like it would take a pretty staunch puritan to write that the only thing that gives us comfort in life is Christ. Certainly it makes sense that our only comfort in death must be Christ, but surely there are beautiful, wonderful things in this world that bring us comfort. Marriage, children, and vocation come to mind as blessings that comfort us.
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So, what's going on there?
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It IS a good, thought-provoking question to ask why Christ is mentioned as our "only" comfort in life when He has also provided us with so many other things that provide some measure of comfort.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I find comfort in family, in church, in having food on the table, in having a nice fire in the fireplace on a cold day, in being able to get out of bed and go to work, and even when a very energetic puppy is glad to see me drive up to the house at the end of the day!
All of these are things that I thank God for.
But none of these things will get me to heaven, none of these things are eternal and unchanging, and none of these things can provide for the eternal needs of my soul. In a sense, I guess we can say that these things are "extras" that God in His wonderful grace provides.
And so my only true comfort and hope is found in the Lord Jesus. Obviously, those Puritan writers had discovered something about life and the Lord that many have not discovered today.
And one very good observation is one that Pat has pointed out: many want Christ to be their comfort in DEATH while ignoring Him in LIFE.
But if Christ is not our comfort in LIFE, we will not find Him to be our comfort in DEATH.
The question then becomes: Is Christ truly our only comfort in life? If He is, He will be our comfort in death and our joy in the life to come.
Wow! That was a great answer and a great question in return. This line of discussion reminds me of Ecclesiates, which tells us that striving for earthly comforts (etc) is vanity, like chasing the wind. As you said - It is a blessing but it is temporary, like vapor.
ReplyDeleteMat 6:25f tells us not to worry about obtaining the comforts we need - "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
and Mat 7:7 "ask and it will be given..."
But along these lines we have to be careful to avoid preaching the "prosperity gospel" that says, "Be a Christian and God will make you rich and happy."