Posts tagged catechism

WSC 22-23

3 years ago

by admin in Grace-Based Theology

Question 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.

Question 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a Prophet. of a Priest, and of a King, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

catechism

cat•e•chism

3 years ago

by admin in Grace-Based Theology

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.

catechism

4 years ago

by admin in Announcements/Status, Miscellaneous, Uncategorized, vs. Legalism

I haven’t exactly been the most prolific blogger lately. There are many topics I’d like to address — as well as various periodic updates that could be of interest — if I just had more time to write. Rest assured that more posts will be coming soon.

I’ve noticed on a particular message board for current and former homeschoolers the prevalence of questions and topics that are clearly the product of legalism. Some people live in fear that something may be an unknown sin. Others constantly seek the unwritten guidebook of exactly how to live, what to listen to, how to dress, and who to spend time with. Still others just want to make sure that everyone knows exactly what their position is on these issues. I’d like to just go through there and clarify that this kind of fear — and this apparent fascination with standards — isn’t necessary and even distracts from a proper relationship with God. Much time can be spent pontificating, but ultimately… (Ecc. 12:13) The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

And also, from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Enjoy… did you see that? Enjoy!

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

No Basic Seminar manuals, no guides to “Christian living”, nothing but the Bible. (Not even Westminster, even though it’s up there among the best summaries of doctrine and Biblical teaching.)

Q. 3. 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.

Why look elsewhere?

Now on another topic: for Nebraskans, have you checked out My Bridge Radio? This network reaches from Scottsbluff to Ashland over-the-air and worldwide at mybridgeradio.com. Musically, for a small regional station they seem to have the largest playlist I’ve heard aside from satellite radio. In the short amount of time that I’ve listened to the station I have heard worship music ranging from the 1970′s (“Father, I Adore You”) to this decade (“Be Lifted High”) — plus Christian contemporary music from artists ranging from Larry Norman (1977) to Britt Nicole (2007). Check it out in Lincoln at 94.5 and 99.1 FM, or other frequencies across Nebraska. It has more variety than K-Love and far fewer ads than Salem Communications.

In other news, it seems I may get more travel this year than I expected. Currently it looks like just a week apart I’ll have two out-of-state excursions: an air-and-ground trip to Mississippi, also including Tennessee, Michigan, and Minnesota… and then (probably) a train trip to Winter Park, CO.

Finally… just a reminder for all you Southerners who may be reading this… it is cold up north!

Still a few months before Nebraska looks like this again…

…and sights like this can be seen here…

…and elsewhere.

Brrrr.

catechism legalism photos

4 years ago

by admin in Announcements/Status, Miscellaneous

My first week in the new job is nearly over. I entered the position at one of the busiest weeks of the year — Missions Conference — and both pastors are out of town from Tuesday through Thursday, so I have had to learn things in a hurry. So far my job tasks have involved preparing Sunday’s bulletins (pretty significant task, especially this week), copying sheet music, picking things up in the sanctuary, and organizing/arranging things in the office. Things have gone pretty well. I think we’ll be in good shape for Sunday’s services. I have also become the webmaster and will soon be doing more with systems administration — I’ll probably post more about some of that once I get in to that aspect of work.

Not going so well, however, is my basketball bracket. I haven’t had much success with today’s games.

On the topic of missions conference… the missionaries this year are from Latin America, Eastern Europe, and downtown Omaha. There will be a men’s breakfast Saturday morning, an informal dinner here in Gretna Saturday evening, then special services Sunday morning and evening (plus a lunch after morning services). Then on the topic of missions… I didn’t end up getting on the ’07 Belize team, but who knows… maybe I will in ’08. Mom and I are considering going up to the Omaha Reservation this summer for a week of ministry — more details later.

And finally… this is the “catechism of the month” from the bulletin. I’ve been pondering it as it poses a difficult question on the topic of election vs. free will. Those who know me (or frequently read my blog) will know that I am Reformed/Calvinistic — yet at the same time we Calvinists can’t deny that free will does exist in a form. The question is just how the two relate to each other. First… the question and answer from the Westminster Shorter Catechism (no, it’s not Scripture but it is a good and essential summary of beliefs).

Question 13
Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
Answer 13
Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

So anyway… I was thinking about this particular question and answer today since it’s an item in the bulletin I’ve been working hard to prepare for Sunday. If we take as foundational that all human beings are completely depraved and unable to choose anything good, that God’s saving grace is a free gift that once given is so compelling that one cannot resist it, and finally all that God has chosen for Himself will be saved (none will be lost)… then we would have to conclude that the exercise of free will is something that will be used for evil, not for good. Based on this, then I came to the conclusion that those whom God has chosen will receive grace and thus their resistance will be overcome and they will be saved. However, others will be left to their free will. As the human nature is depraved, it seems then that man’s free will is bound to do wrong. So election and free will do coexist in that those not elect are left to free will… and thus will not be saved.
I’m not saying that there is no responsibility on the part of the believer, or that Christians become “robots” that do not make any decision. It’s that salvation — a matter of eternal destiny — is something that I don’t believe someone can choose without God having first given that person grace. Christians are still human, and thus still have the old human nature to deal with… and do make many wrong choices because of the bondage of free will to sin. They are not, however, totally turned over to free will so that they could actually reject Christ and “lose salvation”. God’s grace keeps the Christian from committing this ultimate (natural) act of human free will. Make sense? It’s not an easy topic to understand… I’ll be quick to say that there are many things about the topic of salvation that we as humans just can’t grasp!