What Are the Three Forms of Unity?
The Three Forms of Unity are the doctrinal standards used by most Continental Reformed churches and the churches emigrating from the Netherlands to the US and Canada. The Three Forms are three ecclessial documents called the Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort. To understand these, it is best to take a brief look at each one.
The Belgic Confession
The Confession was written in French in 1561 by Guido De Bres (1522-1567). At the time he was a minister in the Low Countries. De Bres pastored a persecuted church, and wrote the confession partially as a defense of the Reformed Church to the government. He threw the confession over the castle wall to bring it to their attention. In 1556 after the Siege of Valenciennes, Des Bres himself would be martyred at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition.
The Belgic Confession has 37 articles covering Theology Proper, Christology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. The Belgic Confession especially focuses on continuity with the Church, stating in Article 9 that,
In this matter (the trinity) we willingly accept the three ecumenical creeds—the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian—as well as what the ancient fathers decided in agreement with them.
At the same time the Confession teaches the Reformed conviction of the Gospel and assurance of salvation. For example, here is an excerpt from Article 23:
We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ, and that in it our righteousness before God is contained, as David and Paul teach us when they declare that man blessed to whom God grants righteousness apart from works. And the same apostle says that we are justified “freely” or “by grace” through redemption in Jesus Christ.
And therefore we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting only on the obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him. That is enough to cover all our sins and to make us confident, freeing the conscience from the fear, dread, and terror of God’s approach.
It is this pastoral concern and the application of the Reformed teaching on assurance that radiates throughout the confession.
The Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism was commissioned by Elector Frederick the III for his territory. Composed in the City of Heidelberg Germany by the university’s theological faculty. It was published in 1563 in German, followed by a Latin translation. The catechism is ascribed to the theological faculty in Heidelberg, but two names recur in the authorship discussion – Zacharias Ursinus (Zachary Baer) and Caspar Olevianus (Caspar Van der Olevig).
When Frederick the III died (1576), his Lutheran son and successor replaced the theological faculty with Lutherans. This meant that Ursinus and Olevianus, among other faculty, left Heidelberg for other positions a mere thirteen years later.
The Catechism consists of 129 questions and answers. Soon after its publication, the catechism was divided into 52 “Lord’s Days” for preaching in the afternoons throughout the year. The Catechism covers the elements encountered in worship, the basics of the Christian faith, and the distinct teaching of the Reformation.
It was structured in a three part outline drawn from the Epistle to the Romans and passages such as Ephesians 2:1-10. The outline in the words of the catechism is:
First, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance. (Q&A 2)
This has been summarized in different ways like, “Guilt, Grace, Gratitude” or “Sin, Salvation, Service.”
Within this framework the Apostles’ Creed, the ten commandments, and the Lord’s prayer are exposited. The exposition of the creed is much of the grace section, and the gratitude section is mainly the exposition of the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. This along with an explanation of the means of grace, preaching and the sacraments, instruct the Christian in the basics of the Christian faith and the worship service.
The Catechism is well beloved beyond the bounds of Reformed denominations, especially for the first question and answer.
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A.That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has delivered me from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, also assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
The Canons of Dort
The Canons are best known through the “5 points of Calvinism,” which is an unfortunate misnomer. The Synod of Dort met in 1618-1619, and its work became the capstone to the Three Forms of Unity.
The Synod was held in the Netherlands to address the Remonstrance of 1610. Which was a document penned by followers of Arminius. It consisted of five articles objecting to some of the teachings of the Confession and Catechism. The Canons are four responses to these five points of contention.
In addition to the national delegates for the Netherlands, there were delegates from the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, delegates from churches in the Swiss Cantons, and delegates from various churches in German cities. A French delegation was invited and appointed, but was hindered by the French crown.
The responses were penned (in Latin) and approved by the international assembly. The result was four responses to the five errors of Arminianism. While we commonly know the acronym “TULIP,” the ordering of the Canons is ULTIP, with Total Depravity and Irresistible Grace grouped into a single response.
The Canons solidified the teachings of the Reformed churches, especially among her officers. The Form of Subscription for officers in the URCNA is representative.
We, the undersigned ministers of the gospel, elders, and deacons… do hereby, sincerely and in good conscience before the Lord, declare by this our subscription that we heartily believe and are persuaded that all the articles and points of doctrine contained in the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism of the Reformed Churches, together with the explanation of some points of the aforesaid doctrine made by the National Synod of Dordrecht, 1618–1619, do fully agree with the Word of God.
The Three Forms of Unity have served the Church well as doctrinal standards. They are well loved within and beyond their churches, especially for their pastoral teaching and application of Biblical truth. Close study of them is rewarding for the Christian.
Resources for Further Study:
Belgic Confession:
With Heart and Mouth, Danny Hyde
Heidelberg Catechism:
Ursinus’ Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism;
The Good News We Almost Forgot, Kevin DeYoung
The Canons of Dort:
Saving the Reformation, W. Robert Godfrey
