The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism

As my friend Buddy likes to say, the subtitle of a book means more than the title. That is certainly true of Kevin DeYoung's newest book, The Good News We Almost Forgot. The add-on is, "Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism." See what I mean? Buddy was right.I feel like C. J. Mahaney when he states in his review, "I'm sure this will be the best book on the Heidelberg Catechism I've ever read. I know it will be the first." Like most people, I have never read a book on this or any other catechism. I'm glad I did, though.For those of you who have not heard of the Heidelberg Catechism, it was published in 1563 as a way to help with a systematic study of the teaching of the Bible. It takes readers through important theological concepts framed within the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles' Creed. Ladened with Scripture references, the Heidelberg Catechism helps Bible students to get a bird's-eye view of Reformed Christian doctrine.As for DeYoung's book, it is organized in a similar format as the Catechism. DeYoung divides the Catechism into 52 readings, one for each Lord's Day. In addition to the original text, he provides a short, 2-3 page commentary exploring the themes and offering practical applications in an engaging, readable way. From the virgin birth to the resurrection, from the Trinity to divine providence, from the Sabbath to justice, this book offers a brief discussion on a variety of topics pivotal to the Christian life.The one point of criticism that I have of this book is the chapter on infant baptism, and it is not because I'm a believer-baptism proponent. I am eager to find out why others believe in infant baptism, and search for lucid pieces that explain it. This was not one of them. DeYoung falters here in his confusing, rambling, and (in my opinion) illogical connection of circumcision to paedo-baptism. He has to make too many logical jumps and assumptions about entering into "covenantal communities" that he appears to ignore too many passages in the New Testament about baptism. As I reread what I wrote, perhaps my critique is more with infant baptism as a whole rather than DeYoung's defense of it.While it may be odd to read a commentary of a commentary of the Bible, but I highly recommend this book for devotions, public reading, or as an introduction to Christianity. I think that you'll enjoy this work, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of both the Heidelberg Catechism and the Bible.

(This review covers the Kindle version and the companion audiobook from Audible.)I debated whether or not to buy this book, and I'm SO GLAD I did! It has been a breath of fresh air in every way.I did not grow up in a tradition that uses catechisms, and I had no familiarity at all with the Heidelberg. I did, however, grow up in a church that taught me to love good theology, and I have pursued good theology for years...sometimes losing the pursuit of God Himself in the process.Not that God can be known apart from good theology. But it's possible to pursue theological knowledge as an end in itself, and to do so with a desire to master Christianity and master others with your Christianity. In other words, it's possible to be a Pharisee.Good theology, rightly pursued, is not a desire to master God, but to be mastered by Him. The true knowledge of God must always lead to submission, as can be clearly seen by the Biblical accounts of everyone who encountered God's majesty firsthand. One pursues good theology in order to rightly know this God to whom we all must give account, and, knowing Him, to live every day in a right relationship to Him.Enter the Heidelberg Catechism, and DeYoung's warm exposition of it.I have rarely been privileged to hear such a wonderful depth of worshipful theology condensed into such a small package. I often felt joy and even wonder at the beautiful simplicity and depth of the truths expounded there, and expanded by DeYoung. In addition the narrator managed to capture DeYoung's pastoral tone very well, and was obviously a good choice for the audiobook.Even in the one area where we truly disagree (DeYoung is a paedobaptist, and I'm a credobaptist), I found the book helpful. I was reassured by what the Catechism's paedobaptist view does and does NOT embrace (for example, it avoids the heresy of baptismal regeneration). I also appreciated DeYoung's warm, humble, joyful, loving defense of his views on the subject. He is a brother in Christ that I would enjoy meeting on this earth if I ever had the chance, and I look forward to getting to know him in Glory!I can't wait to share this book with my entire family as a part of our family devotions for the next year.

I bought this book to use as a devotional in 2011, right after my freshman year of college. I have read it through at least three times since then, and it only gets richer and more meaningful as I get older. Kevin DeYoung’s writing is fresh, accessible, and matter-of-fact. His theology is sound, and his love for the Lord is evident on every page. He breathes newness into the Catechism for me each time I read this book, and the Catechism sends me to Scripture and the Lord with renewed awe and devotion.I cannot recommend this devotional enough. I’ve tried to find similar meditative works and keep coming back to this one. It is accessible enough for younger people but theologically rich enough for more mature Christians, as well. I wish more Reformed theologians/writers would write devotional or meditative books like this!

A few minor disagreements, such as his treatment of the Lord’s Day. But my agreements and gains are more than worth it. A very helpful walk through the HC.

Great product.Excellent service.

Goes through 52 days. Following catachisms questions for "Lord's Day 1" and so on.

Great book if you want to know the Truth and understand it as its simply explained. A truly great read!

The more Protestant your origins, the more you're likely to think of a catechism as a dry and dusty old document that you don't really need anyway because you have the Bible. In fact, as this book shows, it is a very handy question-and-answer format that guides you through the essentials of the Christian faith. This particular book deals with the Heidelberg Catechism, which was written in the sixteenth century but is still relevant today. Even if you disagree with the author's interpretations and conclusions - and by author, I mean both the present-day Kevin DeYoung who wrote this book and the sixteenth century Germans who wrote the catechism - then you will still come away having thought much harder and more deeply about what you do believe, perhaps even opening up cracks for God to get deeper in.