Heidelberg Catechism Project

The Heidelberg Catechism Project recommends these resources for the study of the catechism:

Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism

As one of the primary authors of the catechism, Ursinus’ commentary is – as a result – perhaps the most authoritative text available. The synopsis offered of Ursinus’ work on this site should not be considered a replacement for Ursinus’ work on the Catechism. It is merely provided as a convenience for those not able to study Ursinus’ work for themselves.

Our Only Comfort : A Comprehensive Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

This is a modern two volume commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism. At 1272 pages, it is perhaps the most comprehensive study in the English language available in print. Here is a brief excerpt:

In today’s world the word comfort has lost its depth and power. Our consumer society has robbed the word of its meaning. When we think of comfort today, we usually think of comfortable homes, easy chairs, vacations, and rest. Comfort has come to refer to something cozy. One can spend a vacation night at Comfort Inn, relax with a glass of Southern Comfort, and snuggle up under a comforter (padded blanket). If you have brought along a catalog published by a firm named “Comfortably Yours,” you can covet several of the “aids for easier living” that promise a seemingly infinite variety of comforts. The catalog cover invites you to look through this “catalog of comforts” and promises that “you’ll find marvelous products for the bath and bedroom, for your personal health, safety and security, even for your pets. All selected with your comfort in mind.” At the same time one may not have the slightest inkling of what the Heidelberg Catechism means by the “only comfort.”…

In the catechism, “comfort” is the English translation of the German word Trost … The root meaning of Trost (Dutch, Troost) is“certainty, protection.” …The trust relation of a king to his subjects and the protection involved in that relationship is rooted in this word. Notice this idea reflected in the catechism’s answer “that I am not my own, but belong . . . to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.”

Electronic Documents

The Heidelberg Catechism and Catechist’s Assistant This volume contains additional questions and responses aimed at helping the student comprehend the catechism, especially the longer and more complex responses expected of the student. It is especially geared to help those who are not already familiar with the Bible. The system of proofs provided is extensive and intended to help the student compare “Scripture with Scripture”.

Exercises on the Heidelberg Catechism This volume likewise contains tools and materials in addition to the catechism text to explain terms which may be unfamiliar to the students and provide scriptural proof texts and study questions for the questions and answers of the catechism. Also, this work seeks to expand the number of scriptural references provided to explain and prove the teaching of the catechism. In the book’s own words: “The most difficult and important words and phrases are explained, and the doctrines, which each question and answer contain, separated and proved. “

2nd Helvetic Confession Modern Study Version – Dr. Chuck Baynard. Rev. Dr. Chuck Baynard’s dissertation was on the 2nd Helvetic Confession. This is a modern English translation created after extensive study of the intent of the original confession. It is for study purposes only and not a binding confessional document. It is used with permission of Dr. Baynard.

Software

Reformed Confessional Software

In seeking parallel passages to the Heidelberg Catechism in the Second Helvetic Confession, Belgic Confession, French Confession and other confessional documents, this free software program has provided great help. It’s ability to search these creeds and confessions by topic or by key concepts was invaluable. It was recommended to me by Pastors Richard Bacon and Chuck Baynard.

This resource provides most of the confessional quotes. But also this site quotes documents available at Reformed.org and BookOfConcord.com

E-Sword

E-Sword is a powerful, largely free, Bible software program. It has a wide variety of Bible versions and language tools for both testaments as long as commentaries and other resources. Most are older and in the public domain (that’s why they are free). Some paid tools are also available to help fund the project should you choose to purchase them. One never need purchase any of these modules to benefit from the software however. You may find important modules for E-Sword like Calvin’s Commentaries and Matthew Poole’s commentary (and many others) here at David Cox’s E-Sword Module site

A similar resource used by other friends is Online Bible, though I do not personally have recent experience with this product.