Comments on: Benefit of Catechisms http://iwestminster.com/2006/04/19/benefit-of-catechisms/ Reformed Christianity Fri, 23 Nov 2007 10:57:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: None http://iwestminster.com/2006/04/19/benefit-of-catechisms/comment-page-1/#comment-11 None Mon, 07 Aug 2006 15:24:56 +0000 http://iwestminster.com/?p=32#comment-11 The WSC question 1 with answer as written above is incorrect. The answer should read; "Mans chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever" The WSC question 1 with answer as written above is incorrect. The answer should read;

“Mans chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever”

]]> By: Christine Dattilo http://iwestminster.com/2006/04/19/benefit-of-catechisms/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Christine Dattilo Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:47:03 +0000 http://iwestminster.com/?p=32#comment-10 Thanks James, I was reading the WLC yesterday Quest. 13 on Covenants. I find it easier sometimes than the WCF, but more rich the WSC. As I memorize the Shorter Catechism - but read the longer - I am reminded of full richness of great doctrine. Thank you for your encouraging words. The first 20 questions are done - only 87 to go:) Thanks James, I was reading the WLC yesterday Quest. 13 on Covenants. I find it easier sometimes than the WCF, but more rich the WSC. As I memorize the Shorter Catechism – but read the longer – I am reminded of full richness of great doctrine.
Thank you for your encouraging words. The first 20 questions are done – only 87 to go:)

]]> By: James Hakim http://iwestminster.com/2006/04/19/benefit-of-catechisms/comment-page-1/#comment-9 James Hakim Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:12:39 +0000 http://iwestminster.com/?p=32#comment-9 I actually found you through Tim's site, took a look at your book list (you can tell a lot about someone by what she reads) and your "about" page, and have been delighted to find another like-minded sister. I suspect that we will enjoy something similar in glory, finding that each new person we meet resonates with us in mind and heart. It's a little more rare on this side of Jordan. I just wanted to affirm the value of catechising. In my life, my children's, and my congregation's, I have found that it is an excellent way to avoid so many common theological/practical pitfalls among believers today. Tim (and really, Dr. Ferguson) are spot on: the contemporary obsession with guidance results from failing to understand that God has given us His law to do just that. How many of the books on the "top 20" rack at my local Christian bookstore would even exist if we understood and applied Calvin's third use of the law as the Larger Catechism does? Which is ultimately why I'm commenting here. I understand that in a culture where we no longer learn by rote (another subject, but an important one), not many of us will be able to memorize the Larger Catechism; but, the WSC was originally for children and the WLC for adults. I was delighted to read that you are memorizing the WSC, but I heartily commend to you the WLC as a devotional supplement. The Dutch Reformed folk enjoy pointing out that the Heidelberg (which I love) is so much more "warm" and "experiential" than Westminster, but that is because they are comparing it to the WSC. In my utterly and unashamedly biased opinion, the WLC blows the Heidelberg out of the water. May God bless your study of good, true doctrine to you. And may He bless it to you so that it produces godliness (1 Tim 6:3). I actually found you through Tim’s site, took a look at your book list (you can tell a lot about someone by what she reads) and your “about” page, and have been delighted to find another like-minded sister. I suspect that we will enjoy something similar in glory, finding that each new person we meet resonates with us in mind and heart. It’s a little more rare on this side of Jordan.

I just wanted to affirm the value of catechising. In my life, my children’s, and my congregation’s, I have found that it is an excellent way to avoid so many common theological/practical pitfalls among believers today.

Tim (and really, Dr. Ferguson) are spot on: the contemporary obsession with guidance results from failing to understand that God has given us His law to do just that. How many of the books on the “top 20″ rack at my local Christian bookstore would even exist if we understood and applied Calvin’s third use of the law as the Larger Catechism does?

Which is ultimately why I’m commenting here. I understand that in a culture where we no longer learn by rote (another subject, but an important one), not many of us will be able to memorize the Larger Catechism; but, the WSC was originally for children and the WLC for adults.

I was delighted to read that you are memorizing the WSC, but I heartily commend to you the WLC as a devotional supplement. The Dutch Reformed folk enjoy pointing out that the Heidelberg (which I love) is so much more “warm” and “experiential” than Westminster, but that is because they are comparing it to the WSC. In my utterly and unashamedly biased opinion, the WLC blows the Heidelberg out of the water.

May God bless your study of good, true doctrine to you. And may He bless it to you so that it produces godliness (1 Tim 6:3).

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