The Irenic/Polemical Nature of the Heidelberg Catechism
This article by Rev. Angus Stewart examines the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) through the lens of its irenic (peace-promoting) and polemical (combative) character, exploring how the catechism engaged with theological controversies of the Reformation era. The piece provides historical context by discussing the five major Reformers connected to Heidelberg and their roles in shaping the theological disputes and reconciliations that influenced the catechism's development.
or War and Peace in the Heidelberg Catechism Rev. Angus Stewart Two words in our title require some explanation. The English words, irenic and polemical, are both derived from Greek, with both appearing (in various forms) in the New Testament. Polemics are concerned with war and irenics with peace, so this article is subtitled “War and Peace in the Heidelberg Catechism.” Unlike Leo Tolstoy’s famous, epic novel War and Peace (1867), we are dealing here not with a physical war (such as, the...