Essays on the Heidelberg Catechism

Most of the essays contained in this volume were delivered as lectures at the Annual Convocation of Lancaster Theological Seminary in January 1963. The Lancaster convocation marked the opening on this side of the Atlantic of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism. At about the same time a similar celebration was being held at the University of Heidelberg in Germany the home of the Catechism. -- From the introduction. Bard Thompson (1925-1987) received a PhD at Union Theological Seminary in 1952. Before coming to Lancaster Seminary in 1961 he served on the faculties of Candler School of Theology and the Divinity School of Vanderbilt University. He is the author of Liturgies of the Western Church (1961) and co-author with Howard Paine of Book of Prayers for Church and Home (1962). His lecture The Heidelberg Catechism and the Mercersburg Theology constituted his inaugural address as professor of church history at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The two other Thompson essays were given at Mission House Theological Seminary in June 1961 as part of the celebration of the centennial of that seminary. Hendrikus Berkhof (1914-1995) was a Dutch theologian who authored such books as Christ: The Meaning of History The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Christ and the Powers. Dr. Berkhof after receiving his BD and ThD degrees at the University of Leiden served as a minister for twelve years as principal of the Theological Seminary of the Netherlands Reformed Church from 1950-1960 and as professor of dogmatics and biblical theology at the University of Leiden. Eduard Schweizer (1913-2006) was a Swiss New Testament scholar who taught for many years at the University of Zurich. A number of his studies have been translated into English including Jesus the Parable of God The Lords Supper and A Theological Introduction to the New Testament. Howard G. Hageman (1991-1992) was president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary from 1973 until 1985. He was also a minister of the North Reformed Church in Newark New Jersey. A native of Lynn Massachusetts Dr. Hageman received his AB from Harvard University and his BD from New Brunswick Seminary. In 1957 he was granted an honorary DD by Central College in Pella Iowa. Pulpit and Table grew out of the Stone Lectures delivered by Dr. Hageman at Princeton Seminary in 1960.