The Heidelberg Catechism was commissioned by Frederick III, Elector Palatine, who wanted a single teaching text for the churches and schools of his territory. Tradition and most scholars credit the drafting chiefly to Zacharias Ursinus (1534–1583), a former student of Melanchthon who taught theology at Heidelberg, with Caspar Olevianus (1536–1587), a preacher at the court, though the work was reviewed by a committee of theologians and pastors. Ursinus later wrote a large commentary on it. Both men were driven from Heidelberg after 1576 when a Lutheran elector came to power.
1563 · Renaissance Early Modern · Religious Scripture
The Heidelberg Catechism is a manual of Christian teaching published in German in 1563 in Heidelberg, capital of the Palatinate, at the order of the Elector Frederick III. Frederick had adopted Reformed Protestantism and wanted one text to teach children and guide preachers.