On Identity; Part One

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

-Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1

                I love the Heidelberg Catechism.  In the midst of much searching during my senior year of college, my first encounter with the Heidelberg Catechism is one of the things that brought me into the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith.  It placed me within the framework of a tradition, which up to that time I had lacked.  I was a garden-variety evangelical, not deeply rooted in some plot of soil; rather I was blown about by the latest trends in the evangelical world.  I do not say this to disparage anyone; I only mean to say that I could not point to a specific tradition.  I had no roots, which is something I think should be important to all Christians, not just me. 

                What hooked me into the Reformed tradition were its confessions.  The ecumenical creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian) and the Three Standards of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort), have given me an important lens through which to view scripture.  It helps me to see scripture not just through the lens of a 21^st Century American, but to also let those who have gone before me in the faith to have their say as well.  I firmly believe that those of other times and places have something valuable to add as I seek to draw closer to the Triune God of grace.  Along that line of thought, I also have a growing appreciation for the Belhar Confession as well.  Its themes of justice and reconciliation are important words to hear for the Church of today.  Now I know that in some circles I move in, the Belhar is a bit more controversial and I can see where some are coming from.  Yet I can confidently look at Belhar in the same way as the other creeds and confessions.  For the reality for any confession or creed is that its authority rests on the Scriptures.  I think that should be a post for another time however. 

                I would be remiss I think if I did not say something about the question and answer I posted.  Why does it stick out to me?  What does it have to do with identity? 

                Our culture; with its corporate advertisements, social expectations, and preconceived notions of success and the good life, will tell us what our identity is.  If we listen to its siren call, we will find that we will drown in the abyss.  We will not have peace and like Bono, we’ll realize that we still haven’t found what we’re looking for.  The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that our identity is rooted in Jesus Christ.  Because of that truth, we can have and know peace.  Indeed, without Christ, our hearts will continue to remain restless.  We also know that in an often troubled world, with its many challenges and trials and tribulations, we can rest secure in Christ.  The way of Christ is not an easy one.  Run away from those who would say otherwise.   Yet we know that, come what may, we can face life with courage and perseverance because we are rooted in Christ. 

There are many more things I could say about identity.  The problem is that I have many different streams of thought going, many different angles to look at this subject.  So I may have to work those angles and more posts on this very subject will probably come in the future.  That said, I’d appreciate your thoughts as well.