Friday, May 23, 2008

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q3

I have to say after my last post that I am not against kids having fun. I don't even think I hinted at that. What I am against is replacing doctrinal training up of our children with fun. The kids at my church in St. Louis have more fun, and productively I might add, than most I have seen elsewhere. For the most part they are homeschooled, which I think breeds more intelligent, talented children than public schools. I have noticed this at both of my former churches in St. Louis. I am very impressed with the intelligence and talent of every homeschooled child I have encountered. I digress, modern evangelical churches in general, there are exceptions, do not train their adults in doctrine let alone their children. Along with catechizing the children these churches would be well served doing away with all their 13 week, prepackaged fluff books with a year studying Calvin's "Institutes," or Warfield's discourses. I suggest if you want a starting point try Machen's "Christianity and Liberalism." It is short but packed with theology as well as much content that, although written 80 years ago, is remarkably relevant to today's church.

Q: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. (2 Tim. 1:13, 2 Tim. 3:16)


The Westminster Shorter Catechism : With Scripture Proofs., 3rd edition., Question 3 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).


13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update, 2 Ti 1:13 (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update, 2 Ti 3:16 (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alan -

I agree our evangelical churches should teach catechism or something similar. However, I am even more concerned that the kids aren't getting the deeper teaching at home. Parents want to hand that over to the church when we are called to be the ones teaching them (Deut 6:7). Thanks for the kind words about home schooling.

Tony

00 said...

I agree with Tony about parents not training up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. How can parents expect their children to "do right" when they are not modeling that behaviour at home? How can parents be upset with their children not understanding God's Law when they won't take the time to teach it to them themselves???