The Shorter Catechism Made Simple

By Andrew Conway

Generations of Christians have found the Westminster Shorter Catechism to be a wonderful treasury of spiritual gold. It outlines the core Christian beliefs and the essential characteristics of Christian living in a way that enlightens the mind and inspires the heart. Its most famous statement, that our ‘chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him for ever’ is widely recognized as a piece of timeless wisdom. Sadly, though, the wisdom of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is increasingly hard for many people today to appreciate. With the passage of time, its beautiful 17th Century English has become further and further removed from the language we use every day. This brief book aims not only to address this problem by putting the Catechism into modern English, but likewise to highlight the carefully arranged structure of the catechism—a structure that in itself contains a great deal of wisdom. To achieve this, the catechism is divided into sections, and a few notes to help explain it are given. May God use it to help a new generation glorify and enjoy Him!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ambassador International
• Release date: Nov 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781620204115

Book preview

For a number of reasons, catechesis has not been as widely practiced in the church in recent generations as it used to be. But the rise of confessional Christianity in recent years has led to a renewed interest in the historical documents that gave clear expression to reformed Christianity’s doctrines and beliefs. By putting the words of one of those important documents, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, into modern, simple language, Andrew Conway has made those doctrines more accessible to our generation. Through the teaching and the learning of these great biblical truths, God’s people will be enriched and will grow strong in their faith.

— Very Rev. J. Stafford Carson,

Principal, Union Theological College, Belfast, formerly Executive Vice President, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

The Shorter Catechism

Made Simple

© 2015 by Andrew Conway

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-62020-507-5

eISBN: 978-1-62020-411-5

Cover Design & Page Layout by Hannah Nichols

eBook Conversion by Anna Riebe Raats

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DEDICATION

In loving memory of Rev. John Parkes, the faithful pastor who first introduced me to the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Endorsement

Copyright Information

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

In the Beginning

Christian Beliefs about God

Christian Beliefs about Sin

Christian Beliefs about Redemption

Christian Living Begun

Christian Living: The Ten Commandments

Christian Living: The Need for Grace

Christian Living: Grace Conveyed

Grace Conveyed: the Word

Grace Conveyed: The Sacraments

Grace Conveyed: Prayer

Conclusion: Why Use the Catechism Today?

Endnotes

Contact Information

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WITHOUT A WIDE VARIETY OF people, this book would never have made it into existence. I’m deeply indebted to the team at Ambassador International whose expertise and diligence has turned a manuscript into a book. I likewise gratefully acknowledge the help that countless scores of people have been to me in helping to form me as a disciple of Jesus. In particular I am thankful to John Dixon for his humble wisdom and constant encouragement.

My parents, Tom and Maisie, have done more for me than words can express. The loving companionship of my wife Sarah-Jayne is more than I could ever have hoped for—she is indeed more precious than rubies (Proverbs 31:10). Most of the work on this book was done before young Annie entered the world, yet it feels only right to acknowledge the fact that already she has been such a blessing to me.

Finally, of course, I acknowledge myself entirely indebted to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who in unsearchable grace has called me to glorify and enjoy Him forever.

FOREWORD

SINCE ITS COMPILATION IN THE seventeenth century, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has been outstandingly significant in its service of the Reformed Church worldwide. The passage of time has seen familiarity with the original English diminish greatly, so that few today find it readable or easy to understand.

Andrew Conway values its teaching and is passionate to present its truth in accessible language to the twenty-first century reader. The Shorter Catechism Made Simple is the end result of his regular pastoral work as a young minister seeking to impart God’s Word to young and older alike within his congregation.

In releasing it publicly in print, it is hoped that others, ministers, youth leaders, parents, and believers generally may find it valuable in imparting truth and inspiring holy living.

I commend it warmly to the church and pray that it may be a much used tool in teaching and training our members to grow in Christ.

—Dr. John Dixon

Former Moderator of the

Presbyterian Church in Ireland

INTRODUCTION

I LOVE THE WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM, but I would probably have hated it if someone had tried to teach it to me as a teenager. Even after I became a Christian, it took me a long time to realize that the Westminster Shorter Catechism is well worth paying attention to. However, now that I’m in my late twenties and into full time ministry, I’m firmly of the opinion that my copy of the catechism is the most important written thing I own—except, of course, for the Bibles I have. Its prayerful and careful presentation

Reviews for The Shorter Catechism Made Simple

[Christie Sinicki · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Review is for the e-book, not the content of book. The words in the questions of the catechism have no spaces between them, so it is one big jumble of words that is impossible to read.