Heidelberg Catechism
Sixth Sunday
Catechismus oder christlicher Vnderricht, wie der in Kirchen vnd Schulen der Churfürstlichen Pfaltz getrieben wirdt
Question Sixteen
Question 16: Why must he be a true and righteous man?
Because God's justice requires that the human nature which has sinned must pay for sin; but a person who is himself a sinner cannot pay for others.
Frage 16: Warum muß er ein wahrer und gerechter Mensch sein?
Darum, dass die Gerechtigkeit Gottes erfordert dass die menschliche Natur, die gesündigt hat, für die Sünde bezahle; aber einer, der selber ein Sünder wäre, nicht könnte für andere bezahlen.
Key Analysis:
- God's justice requires (die Gerechtigkeit Gottes erfordert): This echoes the emphasis on God's attribute of justice in Question 11 of the Fourth Sunday. A just God requires that sin must be addressed and paid for.
- The human nature that has sinned (die menschliche Natur, die gesündigt hat): Points out that the subject of sin is "human nature." This traces back to the fall of humanity in Adam.
- Must pay for sin (für die Sünde bezahle): This is the core requirement of God's justice. Since human nature committed the sin, justice requires that the same "human nature" pays the debt of sin. This explains why the redeemer must be "human."
- One who is himself a sinner cannot pay for others (einer, der selber ein Sünder wäre, nicht könnte für andere bezahlen): Emphasizes that the redeemer, while being human, must also be "righteous." A sinful person needs to pay for his own sins, and therefore cannot pay for the sins of others. This proves that any worldly person, including saints or ourselves, cannot become a redeemer. The human nature of the redeemer must be sinless, which is consistent with the description of Christ being "sinless" at birth in Question 35.
Question Seventeen
Question 17: Why must he also be true God?
So that by the power of his divinity, he might bear in his humanity the burden of God's wrath, and might obtain for us and restore to us righteousness and life.
Frage 17: Warum muß er zugleich wahrer Gott sein?
Auf dass er aus Kraft seiner Gottheit die Last des Zornes Gottes an seiner Menschheit ertragen und uns die Gerechtigkeit und das Leben erwerben und wiedergeben möchte.
Key Analysis:
- Must simultaneously be true God (zugleich wahrer Gott sein): Points out that it is not enough for the redeemer to be a true and righteous human; he must also be true God.
- Through the power of His divinity (aus Kraft seiner Gottheit): Emphasizes the necessity of divinity. Humans need the power bestowed by divinity to complete the work of redemption.
- Bear the burden of God's wrath (die Last des Zornes Gottes an seiner Menschheit ertragen): This directly responds to questions 10 and 11 of the fourth Sunday, which describe God's extreme anger toward sin and the deserved eternal punishment. God's wrath is infinite and eternal; no created being can bear this "burden" by their own strength. Therefore, the redeemer needs divine power to fully bear this terrible wrath in His humanity.
- Win and restore righteousness and life for us (uns die Gerechtigkeit und das Leben erwerben und wiedergeben möchte): Besides bearing the punishment, the redeemer must also win the positive effects of salvation for us: righteousness and life. This is not merely the forgiveness of sins, but a new position of reconciliation with God (righteousness) and eternal life. This perfect righteousness and eternal life are infinite and transcend created beings; only God with divine power can win and bestow them.
Question Eighteen
Question 18: Who is this mediator who is both true God and true, righteous man?
It is our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been given to us for our complete redemption and righteousness.
Frage 18: Wer ist aber derselbe Mittler, der zugleich wahrer Gott und ein wahrer, gerechter Mensch ist?
Unser Herr Jesus Christus, der uns zur vollkommenen Erlösung und Gerechtigkeit geschenkt ist.
Key Analysis:
Identifying the Mediator: Our Lord Jesus Christ (Unser Herr Jesus Christus)
After establishing the two natures required for the redeemer, the catechism directly points out that this unique mediator is Jesus Christ. This concretizes the abstract theological concept into the historical figure of Jesus in the Bible.
Both True God and True, Righteous Man (zugleich wahrer Gott und ein wahrer, gerechter Mensch)
This reaffirms the unique identity of Christ's divine and human nature, which is key to His qualification as a mediator.
Given to Us (uns ... geschenkt ist)
Emphasizes that Christ's redemption is grace freely given by God. This is not something we earn or deserve, but God's proactive gift.
For Our Complete Redemption and Righteousness (zur vollkommenen Erlösung und Gerechtigkeit)
Points out the purpose and effect of Christ's work. His redemption is "complete," not only rescuing us from the punishment of sin (redemption), but also winning for us the status of justification before God (righteousness). This "completeness" responds to the "complete" requirement of the law and the "complete" state of sin's corruption.
Question Nineteen
Question 19: How do you know this?
From the holy Gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise; afterward proclaimed by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; and finally fulfilled through His beloved Son.
Frage 19: Woher weißt du das?
Aus dem heiligen Evangelium, welches Gott selbst anfänglich im Paradies hat geoffenbart; folgends durch die heiligen Erzväter und Propheten lassen verkündigen und durch die Opfer und andere Zeremonien des Gesetzes vorgebildet; endlich aber durch seinen eingeliebten Sohn erfüllt.
Key Analysis:
Source of Knowledge: The Holy Gospel (Aus dem heiligen Evangelium)
Emphasizes that knowledge about the identity and qualifications of the Redeemer comes not from human philosophy, speculation, or tradition, but from the "gospel" revealed by God through the Scriptures.
Initially in Paradise (anfänglich im Paradies)
Alludes to the original promise in Genesis 3:15.
3
Through the Holy Patriarchs and Prophets (durch die heiligen Erzväter und Propheten)
Points to the prophecies in the Old Testament.
4
Prefigured Through Sacrifices and Other Ceremonies of the Law (durch die Opfer und andere Zeremonien des Gesetzes vorgebildet)
Emphasizes that the Old Testament sacrificial system and ceremonies were all types pointing to Christ.
Finally Fulfilled Through His Beloved Son (endlich aber durch seinen eingeliebten Sohn erfüllt)
Declares that all the prophecies and prefigurations of the Old Testament found their ultimate and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
This question and answer confirm that the catechism's teachings about Christ's divine-human nature and His role as Redeemer are based on Scripture, not human invention.
Practical Application
Completely Trust in Jesus Christ's Divine-Human Nature
The Redeemer must be both true human and true God. The hope of salvation is completely built on Jesus Christ. Any teaching that denies Christ's divinity or humanity endangers the foundation of redemption. Our comfort lies in this: we have Christ who is both God and man who substitutes for us.
Cherish the Bible as the Source of Knowing Christ
We know the mediator Jesus Christ from the gospel. This gospel was first revealed in Paradise, prefigured through the Old Testament, and fulfilled in Christ. To correctly understand the Redeemer, we must focus on biblical revelation. We should diligently read the Bible, as it reliably testifies to Jesus's identity and redemption, while being cautious of views that deviate from Scripture.
Accept the "Complete Redemption and Righteousness" Accomplished by Christ
Jesus Christ is given to us for "complete redemption and righteousness." With His divine power, He bore God's wrath in His humanity, winning righteousness and life. What Christ did for us is complete. We should seek complete forgiveness in Christ, not relying on our own performance. When feeling like failures, we return to Christ's perfect work, believing that in Him we already have righteousness. This redemption also motivates us to pursue holiness.
Give Thanks for God's Gift
Christ is "given to us," redemption is God's gift. We know this mediator not because we deserve it, but because of God's grace. This should lead us to sincere gratitude, not just emotionally, but manifested in our lives. Thankfulness for this gift becomes the motivation for us to live a life pleasing to God, making us willingly obedient.