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The Three Forms of Unity
The Three Forms of Unity: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of the Synod of Dort. This edition includes a Scripture Index. In addition to the Three Forms, this edition also includes the Apostels' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed
166 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 12, 2023
Some random notes on the Belgic Confession: Paul wrote Hebrews. Discipline is a third mark of a true church (Article 29). Many articles conclude with a rejection of opposing views (e.g., Anabaptists, Epicureans, Manichaeans, etc.).
Canons of Dort, second head of doctrine, article 5: "Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of His good pleasure sends the gospel."
The Canons of Dort have a more systematic series of affirmations (Calvinism) and rejections (Arminian Remonstrance), and the actual order is ULTIP, which is not a flower, to my knowledge.
Canons of Dort, second head of doctrine, article 5: "Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of His good pleasure sends the gospel."
The Canons of Dort have a more systematic series of affirmations (Calvinism) and rejections (Arminian Remonstrance), and the actual order is ULTIP, which is not a flower, to my knowledge.
May 20, 2015
Trying to read this at least once a year, if not two or three times.
I was glad to find a cheap well bound edition of The Three Forms of Unity. The doctrine is really, really good. As many have noted the Heidelberg Catechism is very pastoral in tone, which makes it a delight to read and study. But what surprised me was how pastoral the Canons of Dort was. Every pastor should have this on their shelf and read it on a regular basis. Here are a few lines I enjoyed:
Belgic Confession, Article 1: God is the overflowing fountain of all good.
Heidelberg Catechism #52: Christ shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation.
HC #111: But what does God require in this commandment? [The eighth]
A: That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.
Canons of Dort, Fifth Head, Article 1: Those people whom God according to his purpose calls into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he also sets free from the reign and slavery of sin, though in this life not entirely from the flesh and from the body of sin.
I was glad to find a cheap well bound edition of The Three Forms of Unity. The doctrine is really, really good. As many have noted the Heidelberg Catechism is very pastoral in tone, which makes it a delight to read and study. But what surprised me was how pastoral the Canons of Dort was. Every pastor should have this on their shelf and read it on a regular basis. Here are a few lines I enjoyed:
Belgic Confession, Article 1: God is the overflowing fountain of all good.
Heidelberg Catechism #52: Christ shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation.
HC #111: But what does God require in this commandment? [The eighth]
A: That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.
Canons of Dort, Fifth Head, Article 1: Those people whom God according to his purpose calls into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he also sets free from the reign and slavery of sin, though in this life not entirely from the flesh and from the body of sin.
April 3, 2022
Very clear. Good for soul and mind.
I read the edition put out by Canon Press with the into by Nick Needham. Read that one.
I read the edition put out by Canon Press with the into by Nick Needham. Read that one.
January 16, 2023
Standard Reformed doctrine. I enjoyed this much more than the Westminster Standards. These are warmer and much more pastoral. I went through it as Sunday Family worship this past year and we will be continuing that.
July 3, 2019
Not only are these three documents theologically robust, but they are full of pastoral concern. Nobody could accuse the authors of these documents of promoting mere head-religion. The Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism, especially, emphasize not only proper doctrine, but how we may take comfort in these doctrines and respond rightly to them.
I also appreciate that some room is left for difference of opinion. Due to the more general nature of statements concerning issues such as creation, Lord's Day observance, and so on, I actually found myself disagreeing with these standards in fewer places than with the London Baptist Confession! I'm not entirely sure if these documents were intended to be more inclusive, but they do have that effect.
The black sheep here would probably be the Canons of Dort, which refute the errors of the Remonstrants (followers of Jacob Arminius). There are certainly many strong words to be found here, but I believe they are in many places justified. I believe even many of my Arminian brothers would vehemently deny much of what is rejected by the synod, so I don't believe the canons to be overly divisive. Moreover, it is undeniably important that a doctrinally organized body of believers have a clear presentation of their soteriology, so it would be unfair to begrudge the Dutch their stance.
Honestly, even if one disagrees with some of these major points of doctrine, the Three Forms of Unity are still worth reading. There is much here that is encouraging, comforting, and historically valuable. Certainly, anyone who wishes to dispute with Calvinism should make themselves familiar with the Canons of Dort.
It must be said that the formatting of the book isn't perfect. Towards the end some distracting formatting errors did find their way in, which is unfortunate. The text is all in place, however, and I can fully recommend this book to all who are interested.
I also appreciate that some room is left for difference of opinion. Due to the more general nature of statements concerning issues such as creation, Lord's Day observance, and so on, I actually found myself disagreeing with these standards in fewer places than with the London Baptist Confession! I'm not entirely sure if these documents were intended to be more inclusive, but they do have that effect.
The black sheep here would probably be the Canons of Dort, which refute the errors of the Remonstrants (followers of Jacob Arminius). There are certainly many strong words to be found here, but I believe they are in many places justified. I believe even many of my Arminian brothers would vehemently deny much of what is rejected by the synod, so I don't believe the canons to be overly divisive. Moreover, it is undeniably important that a doctrinally organized body of believers have a clear presentation of their soteriology, so it would be unfair to begrudge the Dutch their stance.
Honestly, even if one disagrees with some of these major points of doctrine, the Three Forms of Unity are still worth reading. There is much here that is encouraging, comforting, and historically valuable. Certainly, anyone who wishes to dispute with Calvinism should make themselves familiar with the Canons of Dort.
It must be said that the formatting of the book isn't perfect. Towards the end some distracting formatting errors did find their way in, which is unfortunate. The text is all in place, however, and I can fully recommend this book to all who are interested.
October 29, 2021
While not the confession to which I subscribe, these documents are unparalleled in their warmth and affection by any of the English confessions. Coming from a Reformed Baptist background, these documents are nearly impeachable (I might only disagree on the topic of the subjects of baptism and minor points of polity), and I will be returning to them over and over again with the hope of internalizing the language and emotion of these works. Thanks be to God for the Dutch brethren now and then, and may their work prosper!
August 10, 2014
The Heidelberg Catechism is my favorite Reformed catechism; the Canons of Dort are the best expression of pan-Protestant doctrine that ever came from the Reformation.
January 1, 2015
Anyone claiming to be reformed needs to read The Three Forms of Unity. As someone who grew up Baptist and still new to some of the reformed theology, this was a tremendous help.
September 13, 2021
I give the first two documents (The Belgic Confession of Faith and The Heidelberg Catechism) somewhere between one and two stars.
I give the third document (The Canons of Dort) five stars.
The confession and catechism were very disheartening to read. The composers were clearly much to be commended for the vast distance they traveled in coming to this place, but it is nonetheless not a document that an independent or a baptist is likely to be able to affirm in any substantial sense. It has come a long way from the extremes of Roman error, but has much further to come.
The Canons of Dort are such a powerful document I can only wish every believer would take the time to read it. It would re-frame the discussion of God's sovereign grace in salvation and would drive the modern church far deeper into the doctrines of God's grace than many ever go. It gives a framework for understanding the debate around Calvinism and should, therefore, be required reading before anyone presumes to enter on that debate.
As far as the Solid Ground "leather edition" 2018, I was disappointed that it was a hardback merely covered in leather.
I give the third document (The Canons of Dort) five stars.
The confession and catechism were very disheartening to read. The composers were clearly much to be commended for the vast distance they traveled in coming to this place, but it is nonetheless not a document that an independent or a baptist is likely to be able to affirm in any substantial sense. It has come a long way from the extremes of Roman error, but has much further to come.
The Canons of Dort are such a powerful document I can only wish every believer would take the time to read it. It would re-frame the discussion of God's sovereign grace in salvation and would drive the modern church far deeper into the doctrines of God's grace than many ever go. It gives a framework for understanding the debate around Calvinism and should, therefore, be required reading before anyone presumes to enter on that debate.
As far as the Solid Ground "leather edition" 2018, I was disappointed that it was a hardback merely covered in leather.
February 9, 2024
I read all three in a day. Safe to say that they were dense.
The Belgic is arranged in the form of a mini systematic theology. The Heidelberg is decidedly more pastoral in tone. The Canons of Dordt are, owing to the occasion for which they were written, more apologetical, yet part and parcel of that apologetics involved denying the negative practical consequences of Calvinism that the Arminian Remonstrance alleged. All three are excellent. I have never read them before, but I found myself agreeing with all of their content, barring one section in the Belgic which declared that the government should suppress idolatry. About that, I am simply not sure.
Good, pastoral, practical, Reformed.
The Belgic is arranged in the form of a mini systematic theology. The Heidelberg is decidedly more pastoral in tone. The Canons of Dordt are, owing to the occasion for which they were written, more apologetical, yet part and parcel of that apologetics involved denying the negative practical consequences of Calvinism that the Arminian Remonstrance alleged. All three are excellent. I have never read them before, but I found myself agreeing with all of their content, barring one section in the Belgic which declared that the government should suppress idolatry. About that, I am simply not sure.
Good, pastoral, practical, Reformed.
September 9, 2018
This is my favorite of the Reformed confessions of faith. It contains many rich truths that are beautifully articulated and clearly explained.
Want to read
December 12, 2023Heidelberg catechism paul washer
June 17, 2024
A must read for any Christian.
April 21, 2025
Outstanding works within the Reformed tradition of Christianity!
August 11, 2012
The three forms of unity are the confessional standards of the Dutch reformed churches and coupled with the Westminster standards are the most well known of the reformed confessional standards. Part of the three forms is the Heidelberg catechism, probably the most beloved catechism in history. It is full of comfort and exhortation as it lays out it's threefold theme of guilt, grace, and gratitude, and I go back to it often. It's perfect for family or personal devotions because it's broken down into 52 sections for each Lord's day. Here is question 1:
Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
January 20, 2025
The 3 confessional documents of the Reformed churches in the Dutch tradition.
Make sure you read versions that contain the Scripture references! The PRCA has that contain them.
Even though the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism were written before the Synod of Dordrecht, that synod adopted those documents along with the Canons of Dort. Together they became the Three Forms of Unity.
Reviews of the documents
Heidelberg Catechism
Belgic Confession
Canons of Dort
Make sure you read versions that contain the Scripture references! The PRCA has that contain them.
Even though the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism were written before the Synod of Dordrecht, that synod adopted those documents along with the Canons of Dort. Together they became the Three Forms of Unity.
Reviews of the documents
Heidelberg Catechism
Belgic Confession
Canons of Dort
October 21, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this, which consists of the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort, three great documents in the Dutch Reformed tradition.
I didn't find anything I disagreed with, and very much appreciated how simply it was laid out. It lacked the theological depth and expansion of the Westminster Confession, but was also much easier to understand and (in the case of the catechism) memorize. Really just a simple, layman's explanations of the foundation of the faith.
The Canons of Dort is more famously known for being the reply against the Arminians, and from which we get our acronym "TULIP". It was short but easy to understand and I enjoyed looking into that bit of history.
I didn't find anything I disagreed with, and very much appreciated how simply it was laid out. It lacked the theological depth and expansion of the Westminster Confession, but was also much easier to understand and (in the case of the catechism) memorize. Really just a simple, layman's explanations of the foundation of the faith.
The Canons of Dort is more famously known for being the reply against the Arminians, and from which we get our acronym "TULIP". It was short but easy to understand and I enjoyed looking into that bit of history.
January 13, 2013
Was good to familiarise myself a bit with the Dutch creeds. Will have to read them next time with commentary, and perhaps Schaff's introductions.
I like the style of the Heidelberg Catechism; it is a 'my creed' as opposed to the Westminster Catechism's 'the creed'.
Loved them.
I like the style of the Heidelberg Catechism; it is a 'my creed' as opposed to the Westminster Catechism's 'the creed'.
Loved them.
November 25, 2018
A beautiful summary of the teachings of scripture. Definitely something you should be familiar with.
May 1, 2025
Read through this regularly--worthy theological refresher.
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