Let's Study the Westminster Larger Catechism

The Westminster Larger Catechism contains 196 questions and answers. It is in my view one of the best documents to teach the church her doctrine and duty, that has been produced in the history of the church. Why then you may rightly ask is it so little known and used? This is a fair question and one that is not easy to answer.

In an age when an appreciation for history is quite low, never mind church history it is not surprising that little attention is given to historic documents such as this Larger Catechism. There is always the constant pursuit, by sinful man, for the new methods or the novelties as well. We must not pander to this lust in the church. Solomon rightly taught that: 'and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us' Ecclesiastes 1:9-10.

None-the-less I would like to contend that people begin to read and study this document. If you are an elder, how about teaching it in Adult Sunday School class or the midweek meeting?

It is easy to find this Catechism on the internet, just put it in the search engine. There is a new book coming out also by Evangelical Press in September/October this year which is called "The Westminster Standards in Modern English with Essays". It will probably be in hardback and this will make this an enduring contribution to the church for the coming years. This book could be used to study this Catechism.

My conclusion is: Let's study the Westminster Larger Catechism!