cat•e•chism ?kat??kiz?m
noun
a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.
• a series of fixed questions, answers, or precepts used for instruction in other situations.


I continue to grow in appreciation of historic church works such as the catechisms — while not of inspired authorship like the Scriptures, they are nonetheless very useful tools for summarizing important doctrine (and also remembering it, and holding to it!). So I appreciate the extensive work by the men centuries ago who took the time to painstakingly summarize these truths. I only wish I had started memorizing it earlier, though it has only been recently that I have appreciated the insights of the church throughout the ages as opposed to modern inventions. One question/answer that I am especially appreciative of right now is Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 6 —
Q. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Consider the depth of the truth summarized here by the authors of the catechism. Yes, it’s a human work (based on Scripture) but it is nonetheless rich and valuable. Today we’re presented with numerous false doctrines about the Trinity. Some denominations, such as Oneness Pentecostals, deny the Trinity and look down on so-called “Trinitarians.” Other sects claim that certain persons of the Trinity are of greater importance than others, such as those in the Southern Baptist denomination who state that the Son is lesser than (and in eternal submission and subordination to) the Father. There are also eschatological views which give the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) a lesser, temporal role, as if the Holy Spirit did not always exist (or will not always exist). Still others expand the role of the Holy Spirit to magnify the gifts of the Spirit to be the primary sign of one’s faith. All of these views are exaggerations of one person of the Trinity at the expense of the others. Scripture shows that the persons of the Trinity are equal, and the catechism summarizes this truth in an easy-to-remember format.
If only more churches would recognize the value of the catechism, teach and know sound doctrine, and emphasize Scripture (which principally teaches “what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.”) I think we would see major change in the Church today.