Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.
But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" --Jeremiah 6:16

 

4 March, 2008 - by Chad   comments: (0) Sound Doctrine   The Value of Catechisms - Part 1 Most people in the church today are not used to using catechisms in their personal study or in the teaching of biblical doctrine to their children. There are many who were saved out of the Roman Catholic Church and remember catechism class from their childhood. This has left them with a bad taste in their mouth for catechisms in general. They remember the catechism as something that was used to teach them lots of false and unbiblical doctrines. The truth is, catechisms are not a Roman Catholic tool in and of themselves. A catechism is simply a summary of principles contained in the form of questions and answers. You can teach almost anything by way of catechism. It is an excellent tool for teaching Christian theology. Protestant churches have used catechisms for centuries. Many pastors have written their own catechisms for the instruction of their churches. Martin Luther is most notable for being among the first Protestants to do so. Here on Old Truth we are periodically going to be taking a look at a catechism that is based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism from the 17th century. This is a slightly modified version of the Westminster with only a few key questions and answers altered for Baptist doctrine. For those of you who are Presbyterians I will tell you up front that the areas affected are mostly concerned with baptism and church government. For those who are opposed to catechisms I hope that this new series on Old Truth will change your mind and that you will discover that a catechism can be an excellent way to teach biblical doctrine and is especially useful in (but not limited to) the instruction of children. I've included a couple of verses of scripture along with each question and answer. While no doctrine can be exhaustively taught with just one or two scripture references, they are a good place to start. For some examples, we'll start off with a few opening Q&A's from our slightly modified Westminster Catechism. Q. 1. What is man's chief end? A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy to him forever. Ecc 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. 1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Q. 2. What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? A. The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Q. 3. What do the scriptures principally teach? A. The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Luke 16:29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' 2 Tim 1:13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. We'll take the catechism further in depth in my next posting in this series. Posted by: Jim B.   Link: http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.960   Be the first to post a comment about this article        Home  |   About  |  Videos   |  Calvinism