The Good News We Almost Forgot

Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism

By: Kevin DeYoung

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Good News We Almost Forgot, Kevin DeYoung explores the Heidelberg Catechism and writes 52 brief chapters on what it has shown him. The Heidelberg is largely a commentary on the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, and the book deals with man's guilt, God's grace, and believers' gratitude. The result is a clear-headed, warm-hearted exploration of the faith, simple enough for young believers and deep enough for mature believers.

As DeYoung writes, "The gospel summarized in the Heidelberg Catechism is glorious, it's Christ gracious, it's comfort rich, it's Spirit strong, it's God Sovereign, and it's truth timeless." Come and see how your soul can be warmed by the elegantly and logically laid out doctrine that matters most: we are great sinners and Christ is a greater Savior!

©2010 Kevin DeYoung (P)2010 christianaudio.com

The Truth

I am going to say that this was a good read for a many reason’s I think people have questions about what the church is about,who Jesus was and how they are going to respond to this message. So many of these questions are answered for someone seeking answers about God. As a Christian I feel more was explained to understand the importance of seeking God and the Church and prayer.

"We're all theologians"

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned a lot. Kevin Deyoung does an excellent job of walking through the catechism. This book was my first introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism. After reading this book, I definitely plan on using the catechism in ministry and my own walk with God. The author's love for the catechism, theology, and God's word is infectious. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is new to the catechism, like me, or even someone who has been familiar with it for years, and would like to see it with new eyes. This book felt like a conversation. Every time a part of the catechism made me want to object, or raise a question in me, the author answered/addressed it. I appreciated how many times I was challenged by the material. I also found the case for infant baptism compelling. I have never heard anyone defend it's Scriptural basis before, as it is not practiced in my denomination.

great catechism

what an excellent Chatechesis! I can't imagine a much better discussion, and certainly cannot imagine a better text from which to foster it.

A New Favorite of Mine

(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.