SOMEONE new to the faith may asked, “Just what does the phrase catechism mean?”  It is a somewhat arcane word, not used much even within Christian circles.  In the simplest of terms, it is a summary of the principles of the Christian religion used for instruction in the form of

We start again with yet another cycle of Catechism instruction.  There are 107 Westminster Shorter Catechism Questions.  This is the fifth cycle going through all 107 questions on this web/blog.  Each study includes review questions based upon the book Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade, published by P&R Publishing. This book

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q2-3) is The Doctrine of Holy Scripture or The Divine Authority of the Scriptures As we begin in this study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, here are three reminders: First, it is important to remember that each study concludes with questions based upon

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q2-3) is The Doctrine of Holy Scripture or The Divine Authority of the Scriptures This week’s catechism question follows Questions 1 & 2, in that God’s Word directs us how to glorify and enjoy him in two primary ways: 1) by teaching us

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q4-6) is The Being, Attributes and Persons of the Godhead. (see Harmony Index) This week’s Shorter Catechism question follows in sequence, dealing with who this God is that we are to glorify, enjoy, believe, and obey. It speaks of his essence or

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q4-6) is The Being, Attributes and Persons of the Godhead. (see Harmony Index) As an introduction I would like to quote G.I Williamson’s study of the Shorter Catechism: “Someone has said that all error somehow traces back to a defective view of

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q4-6) is The Being, Attributes and Persons of the Godhead. (see Harmony Index) Our study in the Shorter Catechism continues with the doctrine of the Trinity. May the truth of this teaching and its implications guide and strengthen our Christian walk in

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q7-8) is The Decrees, or the Eternal Purpose of God. (see Harmony Index) When I was young, my mother placed a decorative plaque in a prominent location in our kitchen. On the plaque, along with an image of a little flower, were

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q7-8) is The Decrees, or the Eternal Purpose of God. (see Harmony Index) The catechism continues with the theme begun in Question #7—the decrees of God, which “are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q9-11) is Creation and Providence. (see Harmony Index) Many people like to talk about human creativity and the things human beings create. Yet we ought to ask, do we? Do we create? Or is “create” a term that ought to be reserved

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q9-11) is Creation and Providence. (see Harmony Index) In the previous catechism question, we looked at the work of creation—God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, all very good. We continue now with the creation of man.

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q9-11) is Creation and Providence. (see Harmony Index) This discussion is formatted a little differently from previous ones.  As a reminder, we are using Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade as the source material for the study questions. With Question #11,

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q12-13) is The Covenant of Works. (see Harmony Index) This study introduces another precious theme central to our knowing and doing the Christian life; that theme is the covenant. Once again, we enter into our study with the prayer that we would

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q12-13) is The Covenant of Works. (see Harmony Index) While listening to a local Christian radio station, I learned that a debate was scheduled to take place at a particular church that does not hold to a theologically Reformed viewpoint. The topic

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index) “In every circumstance and relationship in life, we are usually faced with making a choice. How are we going to respond to it? Are we going to move toward God in the making of that

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index) We are using Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade as the source book for the study questions. Those who have a copy of the book and are using it along with this study will

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index) People tend not to think about the implications of their actions. The word “implications” is derived from a Latin word meaning “to interweave, entangle, or entwine”—and so often a careless action leads to a tangled

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index) The previous two catechism questions dealt with “the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created” and the fall of “all mankind…in Adam’s first transgression.”  Now we come to Question

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index) Professor John Murray wrote that, “Scripture attaches great importance to knowledge and gives a foremost place to the mind and understanding. Ignorance and error are the effects of the fall and it is upon them

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index) “Why? Why, Mommy? Why, Daddy? Why?” At a very young age children begin to ask this question; their inquisitive minds wonder and search for answers in a world full of strange new things, apparent problems,

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q20 only) is The Covenant of Grace. (see Harmony Index) Do you have a favorite story from the Bible? I think most children do; but as we grow and spend more thoughtful time in Scripture, it may be harder to choose just

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q21-22) is The Person of Jesus Christ the Mediator. (see Harmony Index) Please notice how this question is asked. It does not say “what,” but “who” is the redeemer of God’s elect. Words have meaning, and the significance of this precise word

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q23-24) is The Offices of the Mediator: The Prophetic. (see Harmony Index) We come to that portion of the catechism where we study how Christ meets and fulfills the work of redemption for his people. There is a parallel between the three

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q23-24) is The Offices of the Mediator: The Prophetic. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? Questions 24-26 explain how the offices of Christ—prophet, priest, and king—fulfill the work of redemption. The first of Christ’s

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q25-26) is The Offices of the Mediator: The Priestly and the Kingly. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? Our study continues as the catechism explains how Christ accomplishes the work of redemption for his

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q25-26) is The Offices of the Mediator: The Priestly and the Kingly. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? We have been learning about how Christ fulfills the work of redemption for his people. Our

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q27-28) is The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Christ. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist? “The Cross and the Crown” – “No Crown without the Cross” These two statements have been bannered over the pavilion of the Christian

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q27-28) is The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Christ. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation? In Question 27, we looked at Christ’s physical coming and The Cross of his suffering—his humiliation. Question 28 now deals with the other

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q29-31) is Union with Christ; Effectual Calling; Regeneration. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q29 How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? We continue our study in the catechism by seeing how the redemption purchased by our Savior is applied

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q29-31) is Regeneration; Union with Christ; Effectual Calling. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ? Our study in the catechism now takes us to see how the Holy Spirit applies the redemption

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q29-31) is Regeneration; Union with Christ; Effectual Calling. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q31. What is effectual calling? Today’s topic is effectual calling. As we begin, consider the authors’ use of the word “embrace.” The paraphrase below uses “receive” instead; present-day Christians often

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q32-33) is The Benefits of Redemption: Justification. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life? In this question, we review the benefits that flow from our effectual calling in Christ. From the

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q32-33) is The Benefits of Redemption: Justification. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q33. What is justification? The preceding catechism study dealt with the several benefits flowing from our effectual call in Christ. Those benefits are justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several other

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q34-36) is The Benefits of Redemption: Adoption and Sanctification. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q34. What is adoption? We are in the section of the catechism which deals with the several benefits flowing from our effectual call in Christ. As a reminder, those

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q34-36) is The Benefits of Redemption: Adoption and Sanctification. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q35. What is sanctification? We continue in the section of the catechism that deals with the benefits flowing from our effectual call in Christ. To repeat, these benefits are

WSC Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification? The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q34-36) is The Benefits of Redemption: Adoption and Sanctification. (see Harmony Index) We now deal with the last of the several benefits flowing

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q37) is Death and the Middle State. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? We have completed that part of the catechism that deals with the benefits that in this life accompany our life hidden

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q38) is The Resurrection and the Judgment. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? In our last study, we looked at the benefits which believers receive from Christ at death. Now we consider the

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q39-42) is The Law of God; Christian Liberty. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q39. What is the duty which God requireth of man? WSC Q3 asks what the Scriptures principally teach, and answers that they teach what man is to believe concerning God,

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q39-42) is The Law of God; Christian Liberty. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience? According to the Westminster Larger Catechism, Q93, “The moral law is the declaration of the

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q39-42) is The Law of God; Christian Liberty. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q41. Wherein is the moral law summarily comprehended? “The Bible was not given to satisfy my curiosity [or to entertain me]—but to change my life.” I don’t know where I

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q39-42) is The Law of God; Christian Liberty. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q42. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? Believers and unbelievers alike have trouble viewing the law from God’s perspective; they see it as strict, harsh, and unreasonable. As

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q43. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The formatting to this lesson differs in that the Training Heart and Teaching Minds questions are at the

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us? “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q45. Which is the first commandment? Here’s a simple test question: You wake up in the middle of the night, and your house is on fire. You

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q46. What is required in the first commandment? We move forward in our catechism study to what is required in the first commandment. Words are fascinating things.

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q47. What is forbidden in the first commandment? Sin takes one of two forms—doing that which we ought not to do, and not doing that which we

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q48. What are we specially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment? Have you ever had someone jealous for your complete attention, affection, time,

The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index) WSC Q49. Which is the second commandment? “When in doubt, read the instructions.” It seems that in this hurry-up society we live in, such suggestions, well…we just don’t