Lord's Day Questions with proof texts
Link to audio recording of LD 34 Part 1
Link to audio recording of LD 34 Part 2
Summary (NotebookLM)
Lord's Day 34 explores the meaning, division, and application of the ten commandments, distinguishing between moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws. Ursinus' commentary examines how Christ's arrival impacted the law and the extent to which it remains binding on believers. Furthermore, it contrasts the Law with the Gospel and provides specific interpretations of the first commandment, emphasizing the importance of avoiding idolatry and embracing the one true God. It also analyzes virtues and vices associated with obedience to this commandment.
Chapter Content:
I. Overview:
This document provides commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, specifically focusing on the Law of God (The Ten Commandments) as a rule for good works. It addresses what the law is in general, its various parts, the extent to which Christ has abrogated the law, the distinction between the moral law and the gospel, the division of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), the true meaning of the Decalogue, and the extent to which the regenerated can keep the law. It examines each commandment in detail, defining the virtues they promote and the vices they condemn.
II. Key Themes and Ideas:
Definition of Law: Law is defined as "a rule, or precept, commanding things honest and just, requiring obedience from creatures endowed with reason, with a promise of reward in case of obedience, and with a threatening of punishment in case of disobedience." It emphasizes that ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Parts of the Law: The commentary identifies three primary parts of the divine law:
Moral Law: This is "a doctrine harmonizing with the eternal and unchangeable wisdom and justice of God, distinguishing right from wrong, known by nature." It is binding on all intelligent creatures, requiring perfect obedience.
Ceremonial Law: These are "external solemn actions which are often to be repeated in the same manner and with the same circumstance... observed in the external worship of God."
Judicial Law: These laws pertained to "the civil order or government... among the Jewish people," dealing with magistrates, courts, contracts, punishments, etc.
Abrogation and Continuance of the Law: A key point is that the ceremonial and judicial laws of Moses have been abrogated by Christ, while the moral law remains in force, particularly concerning obedience. The curse of the law is removed for the faithful through Christ. The moral law is not abolished because Christ came to fulfill it, restore its true meaning, and empower believers to obey it through the Holy Spirit. As stated, "the moral law has also been abrogated as it respects the curse, but not as it respects obedience".
"The moral law, or Decalogue, has not been abrogated in as far as obedience to it is concerned. God continually, no less now than formerly, requires both the regenerate and the unregenerate to render obedience to his law."
Difference Between Law and Gospel: While both promise blessings, the law does so based on the condition of obedience, whereas the gospel promises freely, "without the works of the law." The law declares the justice of God, while the gospel declares it in connection with his mercy.
Division of the Decalogue: The Decalogue is divided into two tables. The first four commandments concern duties to God, and the last six concern duties to one's neighbor.
Question 93 states "How are these commandments divided? A. Into two tables: the first of which teaches us, in four commandments, what duties we owe to God; the second, in six, what duties we owe to our neighbor."
Interpretation of the Decalogue: The Decalogue must be understood according to Scripture, demanding both internal and external obedience. The first commandment must be included in all others, serving as the foundation for obedience.
First Commandment (and beyond): The commentary dives deeply into each commandment, but with respect to the first, for example, it explains that "You shall have no other gods before me" entails acknowledging the true God revealed in the church, rendering due honor to him with all one's heart, soul, and mind.
Question 94 states "What does God require in the first command? A. That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul, avoid and flee from all idolatry, sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, invocation of saints, or any other creature, and learn rightly to know the only true god, trust in him alone, with humility and patience submit to him, expect all good things from him only; love, fear, and glorify him with my whole heart: so that I renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to his will."
Question 95 states "What is idolatry? A. Idolatry is to conceive or have something else in which to place our trust instead of, or besides, the one true god who has revealed Himself in His Word."
Virtues and Vices: For each commandment, the commentary identifies key virtues (like knowledge of God, faith, hope, love, fear, humility, and patience) and the corresponding vices (ignorance of God, errors, magic, superstition, idolatry, contempt, unbelief, doubt, despair, etc.).
III. Important Quotes:
"Law now, in general, is a rule, or precept, commanding things honest and just, requiring obedience from creatures endowed with reason, with a promise of reward in case of obedience, and with a threatening of punishment in case of disobedience."
"The moral law is a doctrine harmonizing with the eternal and unchangeable wisdom and justice of God, distinguishing right from wrong, known by nature, engraven upon the hearts of creatures endowed with reason in their creation."
"The ordinary and correct answer to this question is, that the ceremonial and judicial law, as given by Moses, has been abrogated in as far as it relates to obedience; and that the moral law has also been abrogated as it respects the curse, but not as it respects obedience."
"According to this division, each commandment expresses something distinct and separate from the rest, so that it may easily be distinguished from all the others, according to its true sense and meaning."
IV. Implications:
The commentary emphasizes the continued relevance of the moral law for believers. While salvation comes through grace, obedience to God's law, understood through Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a demonstration of faith and gratitude. The document provides a framework for understanding the Ten Commandments as a comprehensive guide for Christian living.
V. Points to Note:
The document reflects a specific theological perspective (Reformed/Calvinistic).
The commentary is highly detailed and makes subtle distinctions, which requires careful reading.
The language is somewhat archaic, reflecting the historical context of the Heidelberg Catechism.
What does this commentary teach about the Heidelberg Catechism's view of law?
The commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism addresses the law of God, its parts, abrogation, difference from the gospel, division, meaning, how the regenerated can keep it, and its use.
Key aspects of the law discussed in the commentary include:
Definition of Law Law is generally understood as a rule or precept that commands honesty and justice, requires obedience from reasoning creatures, and includes promises of reward for obedience and threats of punishment for disobedience.
Divisions of Law Divine law, which originates from God, applies to angels, humans, and specific groups, requiring internal and external obedience with spiritual and eternal rewards and punishments. Divine law consists of moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws.
Moral Law This aligns with God's wisdom and justice, differentiating right from wrong, known naturally, and binding all creatures to perfect internal and external obedience, promising favor and eternal life for obedience, and wrath for disobedience unless reconciliation is secured through Christ.
Ceremonial Laws Given by God through Moses, these laws relate to external ordinances in public worship, binding the Jewish nation until the Messiah's coming and acting as symbols of spiritual realities fulfilled in the New Testament by Christ.
Judicial Laws These pertain to civil order and governance among the Jewish people, addressing the duties of magistrates, courts, contracts, and punishments, delivered by God through Moses to preserve the Jewish commonwealth until the Messiah's arrival.
The relationship between the Law and the Gospel The law promises blessings based on obedience, while the gospel promises blessings freely, without the works of the law. The law declares God's justice, whereas the gospel reveals it in conjunction with His mercy, teaching how one can become as the law requires through faith in Christ.
The Abrogation of the Law The ceremonial and judicial laws given by Moses have been abrogated in terms of obedience due to Christ's coming. The moral law has been abrogated regarding its curse but not in terms of obedience.
Moral Law and Obedience Even after Christ, obedience to the moral law is required for both the regenerate and unregenerate. Christ fulfilled the law through righteousness, enduring punishment for sins, renewal by the Spirit, and teaching its true meaning.
Division of the Decalogue The Ten Commandments are divided into two tables: the first four concern duties to God, and the last six concern duties to one's neighbor. There are different views regarding the enumeration of the commandments. One view is that the first table includes having no other gods, not making graven images, not taking God's name in vain, and hallowing the Sabbath.
General Rules for Understanding the Decalogue
The Decalogue should be understood through the interpretation of Scripture.
Every commandment demands internal and external obedience.
The first commandment should be included in all others.
The design or end of each precept must be considered.
Negative precepts are contained in positive ones, and vice versa.
Commandments should not be understood in a restricted sense.
The commandments of the second table yield to those of the first.
Worship of God The Decalogue commands the worship of God generally and forbids what is contrary to it. Worship can be immediate (moral works performed directly to God, contained in the first table) or mediate (moral works performed towards our neighbor on God’s account, contained in the second table).
The First Commandment The first commandment involves acknowledging the only true God and rendering Him due honor. It includes virtues like the knowledge of God, faith, hope, love, fear, humility, and patience, with corresponding vices such as ignorance, false notions of God, magic, superstition, and idolatry.
What is the threefold division of the Decalogue?
According to the commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, there is a threefold division of the Decalogue:
Division into two tables The first table includes duties owed immediately to God, while the second concerns duties owed to one's neighbor. This division is supported by scriptural references to the love of God and neighbor.
Division into ten commandments The first four commandments belong to the first table, and the remaining six to the second. The commentary notes differing sentiments regarding the enumeration of the commandments. It suggests that the most correct division includes in the first table the precepts against having other gods, making graven images, taking God's name in vain, and failing to hallow the Sabbath.
Division according to matter This division distinguishes between the immediate and mediate worship of God. Immediate worship involves moral works performed directly towards God, encompassing internal and external aspects as detailed in the first table. Mediate worship involves moral works performed towards one's neighbor on God's account, aligning with the second table.
How does law promise blessings freely?
The commentary explains that the law promises blessings freely in a specific sense.
Specifically:
The law promises blessings freely, but only on the condition of obedience. This condition requires perfect obedience from individuals.
The gospel, in contrast, promises blessings freely without the condition of works required by the law. The gospel makes promises without the condition that the law lays down.
How
did Christ fulfill moral law?
According to the commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, Christ fulfilled the moral law in four respects:
Righteousness and conformity Christ was perfectly righteous and conformed to the law in every way, according to each nature, in order to make satisfaction for humanity. It was necessary for Christ to be holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.
Enduring punishment Christ endured a punishment that was sufficient for the sins of humanity. God sent His Son to condemn sin in the flesh, accomplishing what the law could not do because of the weakness of the flesh.
Renewal by the Spirit Christ fulfills the law in people through the Holy Spirit, who renews them in the image of God. Through Christ, the old self is crucified so that the body of sin might be destroyed and humanity should no longer serve sin. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will quicken mortal bodies.
Teaching and restoring true meaning Christ taught the law and restored its true meaning and sense. This involved freeing the law from the corruptions and interpretations of the Pharisees. Christ's teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, demonstrate this restoration.
Explain the difference between filial and servile fear.
The commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism distinguishes between filial and servile fear in the following ways:
Source. Filial fear arises from confidence in and love for God. Servile fear arises from a knowledge and conviction of sin and from a sense of the judgment and displeasure of God.
Direction. Filial fear does not turn away from God, but hates sin above everything else and fears offending God. Servile fear is a flight from and hatred of punishment and the divine judgment, and thus of God himself.
Focus. Filial fear is connected with the certainty of salvation and of eternal life. Servile fear is a fear and expectation of eternal condemnation and rejection by God and is great in proportion to the doubt and despair which it entertains of the grace and mercy of God.
Filial fear is such as children cherish towards their parents, who are sorry on account of a father’s anger and displeasure, and fear lest they should again offend him and be punished. They are, nevertheless, continually assured of the love and good will of the father towards them, and they love him and are more deeply grieved on account of the love which they cherish towards him, whom they have offended. Servile fear, such as the slave has for his master, consists in fleeing punishment without faith and without a desire and purpose of changing the life, being accompanied with despair, flight, and separation from God.
How does Christian's liberty abrogate the law?
According to the commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, Christian liberty, obtained through faith in Christ, affects the abrogation of the law in the following ways:
Curse of the Law Removed The curse of the law has been removed for those justified by faith in Christ because His merits are imputed to them. Judgment is pronounced according to the gospel, not the law. The law's sentence would condemn to destruction, but the gospel's sentence promises everlasting life to believers. This abrogation is a principal part of Christian liberty, meaning there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Constraint Removed The law no longer forces or compels obedience as a tyrant because Christ, through the Spirit, initiates free and cheerful obedience. Christians willingly comply with what the law requires. Sin should not have dominion because believers are not under the law but under grace.
Therefore, Christian liberty abrogates the law regarding its curse and constraint, but not regarding obedience.
What does the first commandment forbid?
The commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism explains that the first commandment ("You shall have no other gods before me") forbids having other gods and requires regarding Jehovah, as revealed in the church, as the only God.
Having other gods is defined as attributing the properties, attributes, and works of the true God to something else, even if that thing does not possess them or if they are inconsistent with its nature.
Failing to have God includes not having the true God, having no god, having many gods, or having another god beside the one revealed.
It also encompasses not acknowledging God as He has made Himself known, not trusting in Him, not submitting in humility and patience, not expecting all good things from Him alone, and not loving or revering Him.
Additionally, ignorance and false notions of God, magic, sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, confidence reposed in creatures, idolatry, and contempt of God are all vices opposed to the first commandment. Idolatry, as defined in the Catechism, involves placing trust in something other than the one true God.