Christen & Going deeper

Apologetics

Apologetics is giving reasons for the Christian faith: explaining why Christians believe what they believe, and responding to questions and criticism. The Bible calls us to this: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Catechism

Questions about faith are not new. That is why, over the history of the church, questions and answers on the heart of the faith were written in several countries: a catechism. In the Netherlands the best known is the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). On heidelbergse-catechismus.nl you can find its questions and answers, with a contemporary version and proof texts (in Dutch). In many congregations the catechism is explained and preached in the afternoon service; see Preached.