The Overflowing Riches of my God (Belgic Confession)

Revisiting the Belgic Confession

by Clarence Bouwman

Evaluation by David Cox

This confession is very important in the Dutch Reformed Church movement. It is a Calvinistic-Reformed position declaration of faith. It was written by a Dutch reformed preacher, Guido de Brés, a martyr (1567) for his faith in Netherlands. Essentially it is 37 articles divided into the doctrines of God (1-2, 8-13), Scripture (3-7), humanity (14), sin (15), Christ (18-21), salvation (16-17, 22-26), the Church (27-36), and the end times (37). For Reformed-Calvinist studies this is a very important document.

Summary of Belgic Confession

This is a 37 article discussion of the Belgic Confession.

Chapter Content

Table of Contents
Title: Bouwman-The Overflowing Riches of my God (Belgic Confession)
Why Study the Belgic Confession?
Historical Context of the Belgic Confession
Article 1: There is only one God.
Articule 2: How God makes Himself known to us
Article 3: The Word of God
Article 4: The Canonical Books
Article 5: The authority of Holy Scripture
Article 6: The Difference between the Canonical and Apocryphal Books
Article 7: The Sufficiency of Scripture
Article 8, 9: God is one in Essence, yet distinguished in three Persons
Article 10: Jesus Christ True and Eternal God
Article 11: The Holy Spirit True and Eternal God
Article 12: The Creation of All Things, Especially the Angels
Article 13: The Providence of God
Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Man
Article 15: Original Sin
Article 16: Divine Election
Article 17: The Rescue of Fallen Man
Article 18: The Incarnation of the Son of God
Article 19: The Two Natures in the One Person of Christ
Article 20: The Justice and Mercy of God in Christ
Article 21: The Satisfaction of Christ our High Priest
Article 22: Our Justification through Faith in Christ
Article 23: Our Righteousness before God
Article 24: Man’s Sanctification and Good Works
Article 25: Christ, The Fulfilment of the Law
Article 26: Christ’s Intercession
Article 27: The Catholic Christian Church
Article 28: Everyone’s Duty to Join the Church
Article 29: The Marks of the True and the False Church
Article 30: The Government of the Church
Article 31: The Officers of the Church
Article 32: The Order and Discipline of the Church
Article 33: The Sacraments
Article 34: The Sacrament of Baptism
Article 35: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Article 36: The Civil Government
Article 37: The Last Judgment

Preface

Perhaps you’re inclined to consider this book a waste of time and paper. After all: of what value to today’s people is a confession written centuries ago in a far-away corner of the world? Why should I consider the confession of a long dead stranger beneficial to me today? Why is his profession of more significance than another’s?

The book before you is not about an individual — even though Guido deBrès features prominently on its pages. The book is not about a time long forgotten either — even though references to the historical circumstances surrounding the Belgic Confession are scattered throughout. The book is instead about the high and holy Inhabitant of heaven, the God who was pleased to establish a bond of love with people-made-of-dust living on Planet Earth. This book does not comment on deBrès’ opinion of this God, for the opinion of a man-made-of-dust about the identity and work of heaven’s almighty Inhabitant is neither here nor there. This book seeks to explain the faith Holy God worked in deBrès’ heart, the faith deBrès was so happy to put to paper – and even die maintaining.

Such a faith of necessity has infinite value for today’s generations – simply because the God who revealed the faith does not change! If deBrès in his tumultuous times could know himself safe for Jesus’ sake in the care of Sovereign God, you and I in our (very different) circumstances are also able to know ourselves safe in the hands of this God! In a changing and confusing era, this is comfort and stability we need so much.

That’s also why I have not shied away from using the first person pronoun repeatedly in this book. DeBrès listened to what the Lord God revealed in holy Scripture, and then repeated-after-God what He heard God say concerning deBrès himself – gospel truths valuable not for a museum but truths comforting and encouraging in the aches and pains of deBrès’ personal life. As deBrès was eager to confess the personal relevance of the gospel, so I have attempted to give expression to what personal faith looks like. It is my hope and prayer that the reader, living as he does in the bustle and rumble of daily life in a world hostile to the gospel, grows not just in knowledge of the Lord, but especially in trust.

* * * * * *

Over the span of two and a half decades in the ministry of the Word. I have had opportunity to teach the Belgic Confession many times. A decade ago the material I had compiled over the years was published under the descriptive title. Notes on the Belgic Confession (1996. with a second printing appearing in 1999). When the publisher recently sought permission to reprint again. 1 considered the need and possibility of giving that earlier work a thorough overhaul. The result is this publication. As 1 taught the material once more in a Postconfession class in my present congregation. I took the opportunity to rewrite some chapters in their entirety, while others have been radically reworked. The reader will notice too that 1 have added discussion questions to each chapter, as well as cross references to the Creeds, the Liturgical Forms. Prayers and Church Order found in the Book of Praise.

Once again, a team of dedicated assistants has offered invaluable help to make this publication possible. A special word of thanks should be extended to Johanna vanderPlas. It was she who did so much work a decade ago in getting the earlier edition ready for printing. This time again she was willing to give abundant assistance in finalising the manuscript. Thank you sincerely, Jo, for your work! Your insights, comments and corrections have been greatly appreciated!

Lisa Byl has assisted with the editing work, and Rev. WWJ vanOene has assembled the text and subject index. From behind the scenes Robert Eikelboom has exerted his own level of push to get the project completed, and put in many hours to give this book a professional look. The elders and members of my congregation in Yarrow have graciously given space and encouragement to work on this project. Last to be mentioned, but certainly not least in my appreciation, is the support and encouragement received from my family, especially the precious helper God has graciously granted me on life’s pathways. A sincere thanks to you all for your participation in this venture.

Yarrow, BC