Baptist Catechisms
Today I added “Baptist Catechisms” to the Reformed Baptist wiki.
Is The Catechism of the Catholic Church a good introduction to Catholicism or is it more for those who are already educated or grew up Catholic?
Hi Jacob:
Yes, that is an excellent text for understanding the Catholic doctrine. The main problem is that it is huge and gives you a lot to read. And yes, it is easier to go through it if you already know a lot about Catholicism.
There is another book called “Catholicism for Dummies” which I think is more easier to digest. Another excellent text is the Roman Catechism, or Catechism of Trent. Another book that was highly recommended by my friends who have been through RCIA is the more recently released United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
God bless and take care! Fr. Angel
New City Catechism
newcitycatechism.comMight want to keep your eyes open for this once it’s finally developed later this month. A fresh new catechism from Redeemer Presbyterian Church NYC in partnership with The Gospel Coalition.
The Confessional Congregation and the Pastoral Ministry Student
“If a church is to utilize such tools as creeds, confessions, and catechisms to examine and ordain pastors, it behooves the leaders of that church to encourage the congregation to be familiar with such tools. Some pastors may go so far as to teach on the creeds and confessions in Sunday schools, Sunday evening services, or mid-week services. Using catechisms of varying degrees of difficulty in discipleship programs, and encouraging the usage of them in the home, may also improve theological discernment in the congregation. What is more, God may use this ministry to awaken some men to their own individual calling to the ministry or reveal to the church those who are natural leaders and those who are not. In other words, by discipling the body of Christ, pastoral candidates should naturally rise to the surface.
“A prospective elder candidate, then, must be known as a covenant member of the local body in good standing. How can a church trust the credentials of a churchless rogue or a troublemaker? He would also be one who is sound in his doctrine and excels in his knowledge and practice of the church’s binding documents (i.e. creeds, confessions, catechisms, covenants, bylaws, etc.). It would be fairly hypocritical to expect the laity to hold to a confession to which one would not hold prospective leaders. In short, the elder candidate is first and foremost a churchman.”
an excerpt from Pragmatic Churches and Pastoral Ministry Students, The Congregation’s Duty from CredoCovenant.
Unacceptable: Disregard for Church History
“Should a man begin formulating his own doctrinal creed from a mere read of the Bible without consulting the labor of forerunners throughout church history, he would not only be ignorant of all that came before him, but arrogant in his disregard of it. It is the role of the local assembly to ensure that this type of man is not admitted into any office of leadership within the church.”
an excerpt from Pragmatic Churches and Pastoral Ministry Students, The Testing of Pastoral Ministry Students over @ CredoCovenant.
Know Your Catechisms
What is man’s primary purpose?
Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God[1] and to enjoy him forever[2].
