Articles by Daniel R. Hyde
Some of these articles first appeared in peer-reviewed academic journals and scholarly venues written for colleagues in the academic guild and the ministerium—Calvin Theological Journal, Puritan Reformed Journal, Mid-America Journal of Theology, and The Confessional Presbyterian. Some are more popular pieces written for church members that read carefully. For a full list, see my Curriculum Vitae.
They explore the history and practice of Reformed liturgy (including the neglected place of absolution), the theology of the Heidelberg Catechism and the broader Three Forms of Unity, the task of preaching, and disputed questions in Reformed history and catholicity.
The journal articles date from 2006 to 2017, written across two decades of pastoral ministry and doctoral work at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Each article is available in full text, as a PDF, or both.
A Catechism on Catechetical Preaching
Dr. Daniel R. Hyde’s outline of instruction for his pastoral interns at Oceanside United Reformed Church, on the age-old practice of “catechetical” or doctrinal preaching especially through the Heidelberg Catechism in the Dutch Reformed tradition.
Following up on my “A Catechism on Pastoral Theology,” I’d like to present this catechism on catechetical preaching. This forms the outline of a course of instruction I give my pastoral interns at Oceanside United Reformed Church. Perhaps someday I’ll teach it more formally. As with my last post, this reflects on my understanding and application over the course of my pastoral ministry since 2000 of the age-old practice of “catechetical” or doctrinal preaching especially through the Heidelberg Catechism in the Dutch Reformed tradition.
Q1: What is catechetical preaching?
In a broad sense, all preaching is catechetical preaching because every sermon catechizes or communicates an understanding of the Faith, bearing witness to what the preacher and/or church believes to its hearers.
In a narrow sense, catechetical preaching is that form of preaching that communicates the substance of the Christian Faith.
Q2: Is catechetical preaching actually preaching?
Yes.
As preaching, catechetical preaching belongs to the genus of preaching.
As catechesis, catechetical preaching is a particular species of preaching alongside lectio continua, festal, and occasional preaching.
Q3: Why is catechetical preaching necessary?
First, it is necessary for the preservation of the whole counsel of God against enemies within and without the church (Acts 20:18–30).
Second, it is necessary for the propagation of our faith to believers and unbelievers.
Q4: Has the holy catholic church practiced catechetical preaching?
Yes.
The Jewish practice of catechesis included the Shema, law (Ex. 20), prayer (18 benedictions), feasts, and sacrifices.
The New Testament practice is rooted in Matthew 28. The imperative “make disciples” (μαθητεύσατε) is explained with three participles: “go” (πορευθέντες; aorist passive) “baptizing” (βαπτίζοντες; present active), and “teaching” (διδάσκοντες; present active). This teaching is “all that I have commanded,” not merely the gospel. The goal is not mere conversion but maturity in Christ (Col. 1:28).
The rabbis’ fourfold catechesis continued into the Ancient Church’s catechesis using the basic building blocks of Creed, Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, and Sacraments.
The Medieval period began to recover this ancient practice so that priests understood the content of Christian doctrine in order to instruct the people in the knowledge of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.
The Protestant practice began with the Lutherans and spread, for example, to the Netherlands among the Reformed. By the time of the Synod of Dort (1618–19), catechism preaching was not seen as merely “a Dutch thing” as the foreign delegates evidenced that all Reformed churches engaged in catechetical preaching.
Q5: Am I to preach catechetical sermons?
Yes! The URCNA Church Order follows the Synod of Dort and the universal Christian practice, saying, “At one of the services each Lord’s Day, the minister shall ordinarily preach the Word as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity, with special attention given to the Heidelberg Catechism by treating its Lord’s Days in sequence.” (art. 40)
Q6: How should I preach catechism sermons?
Catechetical preaching must be Scripturally-saturated
It is preaching the Word. It’s supposed to bring the full counsel of God to our people on a given topic. The true mark of catechetical preaching is that it gets us into the Word so that we can get the Word into us. People shouldn’t know their Catechism better than the Word! A catechism sermon is not “on” or “about” the Catechism as though the Catechism is the text for the sermon on the same level as the inspired Word. This would contradict our very Confessions (see Belgic Confession, art. 7).
Catechetical preaching must be Christ-centered
Just as we seek to preach Christ from all of Scripture in our morning sermons, we need to do so in catechetical preaching. Don’t forget to relate whatever topic you’re preaching to Jesus and some aspect of his work for his people. I think this is one of the missing marks in modern catechetical preaching. The assumption is “preach the Catechism year in and year out.” It becomes a drudgery in part because it’s not Christological. Preach “Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude” in view of Jesus Christ and to the praise of Jesus Christ!
Catechetical preaching must be personal and practical
Another missing mark is turning the Catechism sermon into a lecture. There are so many great expositions of the Catechism that we can be led to think our job is to be a systematic theologian in the pulpit. Because of this people think catechism preaching is boring and impractical. The doctrines are preached but they are separated from real life. The remedy isn’t to stop preaching catechetical sermons, but to do so well. As with all preaching, we need to apply what we’re saying personally and practically as the Catechism itself does: “That I, with body and soul both in life and in death and not my own;” “the greatness of my sin and misery, how I am redeemed, and how I am to be thankful.” If you miss this, you miss one of the points of catechism sermons.
Catechetical preaching must be understandable
John Calvin’s methodology for commentaries is applicable to these sermons. They must have “lucid brevity and usefulness” (perspicua brevitas et facilitas). I know there are many interesting background debates and theological implications of our Catechism, but we need to focus on preaching the doctrines and exhortations of the Word in a way that our people can understand and apply. We must not focus on the proverbial, “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin” kind of questions! This is not an academic lecture! Don’t preach abstractly but concretely, pastorally, and simply so that even children can understand.
Catechetical preaching must be succinct
Calvin’s “lucid brevity” (perspicua brevitas) should also help guide us. One of the age-old difficulties of the second service is getting people to show up. Another issue I’ve heard and seen in our circles is that it’s hard enough to come back for the evening service, but doubly so when the preacher goes 45 minutes—again! Be succinct! Don’t feel you need to say everything about everything! I aim for 25 minutes max. We use the evening service to focus on prayer and Psalm-singing so that it’s not such a burden.
Catechetical preaching must be varied
Finally, let me encourage you to vary how you preach catechetical sermons. I know it was a mark of the Arminians to preach Scripture in the second service while a mark of the orthodox to read and preach the Catechism, but our task is not to repristinate the past. Speaking from a Southern California context, that was then, this is now. We need to preach our doctrines more creatively.
Preach the Catechism (or the Confession and Canons) as mini-series chunks of material. For example, “Believing the Gospel” (Apostles’ Creed), “The Life of Gratitude” (Ten Commandments), “How to Pray” (Lord’s Prayer). Plan your preaching calendar out to give a little time off in-between for occasional/seasonal sermons or some Psalms, for example.
Slow down and preach more sermons on a particular question/theme that comes up. For example, years ago I did a 50-part series rooted in Q&A 19, tracing the Gospel redemptive-historically from Genesis through Malachi, concluding with John 1. On Q&A 32 I’ve done a series on fighting the Devil in 10 sermons. This helps with another objection: catechism preaching is repetitive.
Lately, I’ve been attempting to give a brief exposition of one key text and then reading responsively the Q&As, giving a brief explanation of the doctrinal, apologetical, and practical aspects.
Q7: Should we ever move beyond catechetical preaching?
No. The words of Martin Luther should become close to our hearts the older we get:
even I must become a child; and early each day I recite aloud to myself the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and whatever lovely psalms and verses I may choose, just as we teach and train children to do. Besides, I must deal with Scripture and fight with the devil every day. I dare not say in my heart: ‘The Lord’s Prayer is worn out; you know the Ten Commandments; you can recite the Creed.’ I study them daily and remain a pupil of the Catechism…Many regard the catechism as a simple, trifling teaching, which they can absorb and master at one reading and then toss the book into a corner…I must still read and study the catechism daily, and yet I cannot master it as I wish, but must remain a child and pupil of the catechism.
© 2025 Daniel R. Hyde. Permission is granted to reprint this article in full, unaltered, for non-commercial use, provided the attribution below is included and links to the original. For excerpts, translations, or commercial use, see Permissions.
To attribute: Daniel R. Hyde, "A Catechism on Catechetical Preaching," https://www.danielrhyde.com/articles/a-catechism-on-catechetical-preaching. Used by permission.
A Catechism on Pastoral Theology
Dr. Daniel R. Hyde’s brief catechism, or, instruction using questions and answers, on pastoral theology, reflecting on the understanding and application of the Word of God in pastoral ministry since 2000.
See also my related article, “A Catechism on Catechetical Preaching.”
Introduction
1. What is pastoral theology?
The study of the office, calling, equipping, character, and duties of the pastor.
The Office of the Pastor
2. What is “office?”
A distinct and official function.
3. What offices are there?
The general office of believer and various special offices.
4. What special offices were there in the Old Testament?
Prophet, priest, and king.
5. What special offices are there in the New Testament?
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. (e.g., Eph. 4)
The Calling of the Pastor
6. How is a pastor called?
Through the internal calling of the Holy Spirit and the external calling of the church. (e.g., Acts 13)
The Equipping of the Pastor
7. How is the pastor equipped for this office?
By the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
8. In what ways does the Spirit anoint the pastor?
In illuminating his mind to know the truth of God, moving his will to obey the will of God, touching his heart to experience the love of God, and opening his mouth to proclaim the gospel of God.
The Character of the Pastor
9. What is the character of the pastor to be?
Example of faith and of godliness. (e.g., Heb. 13:7)
The Duties of the Pastor
10. What are the duties of a pastor?
The ministry of the Word and prayer. (e.g., Acts 6:4)
11. In what ways is the Word administered publicly?
Through preaching and through sacraments, which are visible appendices to the preached Word. (e.g., Matt. 28:19–20)
Preaching
12. How is the pastor to fulfill his ministry of the Word?
In preparation and administration.
13. How is the pastor to prepare for the ministry of the Word?
By diligent and prayerful study of the Word. (e.g., Ezra 7:10)
14. How is the pastor to administer the ministry of the Word?
Both publicly and privately. (e.g., Acs 20:20)
15. How is the ministry of the Word exercised publicly?
In the public reading and preaching of the Word. (e.g., 1 Tim. 4:13)
16. When is the Word to be preached?
At all times, in season and out of season. (e.g., 2 Tim. 4:2)
17. How is the ministry of the Word exercised privately?
In visiting people according to their needs.
18. What are some of these needs?
Family visitation, hospital visits, spiritual counsel, and evangelism.
Sacraments
19. When should baptism be administered?
As soon as feasible.
20. When should the Lord’s Supper be administered?
Frequently.
Prayer
21. How is the pastor to exercise his ministry of prayer?
Both publicly and privately.
22. What is public prayer?
The minister acting as the voice of the congregation before the Lord.
23. What use are forms of prayer?
As examples and helps, but not as required prayers.
Conclusion
24. What is the goal (τέλος) of pastoral theology?
The glory of God, edification of the saints, and the salvation of sinners.
© 2025 Daniel R. Hyde. Permission is granted to reprint this article in full, unaltered, for non-commercial use, provided the attribution below is included and links to the original. For excerpts, translations, or commercial use, see Permissions.
To attribute: Daniel R. Hyde, "A Catechism on Pastoral Theology," https://www.danielrhyde.com/articles/a-catechism-on-pastoral-theology. Used by permission.