Everything about Westminster Shorter Catechism totally explained
The
Westminster Shorter Catechism (also known simply as the
Shorter Catechism, hereinafter referred to as the
WSC) was written in the
1640s by
English and
Scottish divines. The assembly also produced the
Westminster Confession of Faith and the
Westminster Larger Catechism. The three documents are considered by many to be the grandest doctrinal statements to come out of the English
Reformation, and one of the important documents of the Reformation. Completed in 1647, it was presented to parliament on 14 April 1648.
The purpose of the Shorter
Catechism is to educate lay persons in matters of
doctrine and
belief. The WSC is in a simple question and answer format to facilitate memorization. Typically, the parents and the church would use the shorter catechism to train their children in the ways of the Lord. New converts are also given the WSC as well as the Confession of Faith and
Holy Scripture to study. Various denominations have used the Westminster Confession and Catechism to instruct their members.
Although the church in Scotland (the Kirk) had produced
The New Catechisme according to the Forme of the Kirk of Scotland in 1644 aimed particularly at children and youth, it wasn't adopted by the Westminster Assembly of Divines. It was, however, later acknowledged, that the Shorter Catechism wasn't suitable for young children or those of a weak capacity. Various other catechisms were created for this purpose, including the Mother's Catechism.
The
First Book of Discipline (1560) required that a
Sabbath afternoon session be set aside for examination of young children in catechism, and this practice was adopted in the Kirk on
John Knox's return to Scotland. Catechizing became a part of life in the Scottish Churches with itinerant catechists being employed to instruct the people — a practice that continued into the
19th century. The Church of Scotland approved the Westminster Shorter Catechism in 1648, and thereafter it was the manual for instruction. However, because a significant portion of the Scottish Highland population spoke only
Gaelic, the Synod of Argyll in 1649 instructed seven of its ministers to translate the Westminster Shorter Catechism into that language. The result was published that same year, and the Gaelic Shorter Catechism continued to play a part in church life for decades after it had ceased to be used in the English speaking churches. The
Free Church of Scotland still presents a bible to a child who can answer all 107 questions accurately at one sitting.
The catechism is composed of 107 questions and answers. The first 12 questions concern
God as
Creator. Questions 13-20 deal with
original sin and the fallen state of man's nature. Questions 21-38 concern
Christ the Redeemer and the benefits that flow from redemption. The next set of questions, 39-84, discuss the
ten commandments. Questions 85-97 teach concerning the
Sacraments of
Baptism and
Holy Communion. The final set of questions 98-107 teach and explain the
Lord's prayer. This organization mimics the earlier
Heidelberg Catechism of the continental
Reformed churches.
The most famous of the questions (known to a great many Presbyterian children) is the first:
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
In 1675 the Presbyterian
Thomas Vincent in London published a popular exposition called
The Shorter Catechism Explained.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Westminster Shorter Catechism'.
|
External Link Exchanges
Do you know how hard it is to get a link from a large encyclopaedia? Well we're different and will prove it. To get a link from us just add the following HTML to your site on a relevant page:
<a href="http://westminster_shorter_catechism.totallyexplained.com">Westminster Shorter Catechism Totally Explained</a>
Then simply click through this link from your web page. Our crawlers will verify your link, extract the title of your web page and instantly add a link back to it. If you like you can remove the words Totally Explained and embed the link in article text.
As long as your link remains in place, we'll keep our link to you right here. Please play fair - our crawlers are watching. Your site must be closely related to this one's topic. Any kind of spamming, dubious practises or removing the link will result in your link from us being dropped and, potentially, your whole site being banned. |
