The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Catechism

Author: Kevin DeYoung
Publisher: Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2010; 247 pages.
Category: Church, Purpose

Synopsis: Pastor Kevin DeYoung believes that the Heidelberg Catechism has suffered from an unfair reputation; either because some were poorly trained in it while others were never exposed to it at all. In this book, Pastor DeYoung revisits this 450-year old document in order to point to its rich doctrine and ultimate value as a joyful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Value: Men, we need to know what we believe. A catechism is nothing more than a tool that helps us wrestle with what we believe. The question and answer format is effective and if we would take the time to investigate, at a slower pace, the claims of this particular catechism, we might find our hearts resonating with its presentation of the gospel. It makes no claims to be Scripture, but it helps us run back to the scriptures. Also, this catechism has been valuable to believers for 450 years. That means owning a book about it will be pretty safe from falling prey to the fleeting nature of trends.