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47-748: The Westminster Larger Catechism , along with the Westminster Shorter Catechism , is a central catechism of Calvinists in the English tradition throughout the world. In 1643 when the Long Parliament of England called the Westminster Assembly to produce the Westminster Confession , it also asked for a directory of "catechising". The Assembly asked Herbert Palmer to produce a draft of

94-561: A Sabbath afternoon session be set aside for examination of young children in catechism, and this practice eventually was adopted in the Kirk . Catechizing became a part of life in the Scottish Churches with itinerant catechists being employed to instruct the people—a practice that continued into the 19th century. In 1643, the Westminster Assembly , which was designed to bring the two national churches into greater conformity,

141-732: A ' Philippist /Gnesio-Lutheran theological axis to a Philippist-Reformed theological axis', which was especially evident in his attraction to the Reformed position on the Eucharist during a formal debate of 1560 between Lutheran and Reformed theologians in Heidelberg, as well as by the fact that the theological faculty which prepared the Catechism consisted of both Reformed and Philippist Lutheran figures. A proponent of this tradition, Lyle D. Bierma, also argues for this by pointing out that

188-412: A co-author of the document, though this theory has been largely discarded by modern scholarship. Johann Sylvan , Adam Neuser , Johannes Willing, Thomas Erastus , Michael Diller, Johannes Brunner, Tilemann Mumius, Petrus Macheropoeus, Johannes Eisenmenger, Immanuel Tremellius and Pierre Boquin are all likely to have contributed to the Catechism in some way. Frederick III himself wrote the preface to

235-654: A great many Presbyterian children) is the first: Q. What is the chief end of man? A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. The Church of Scotland approved the Westminster Shorter Catechism in 1648, and thereafter it was the manual for instruction. However, because a significant portion of the Scottish Highland population spoke only Gaelic , the Synod of Argyll in 1649 instructed seven of its ministers to translate

282-729: A little over a month after the Larger Catechism. Scripture citations were added on 14 April 1648. It was passed Parliament 22–25 September and ordered to be printed with the title The Grounds and Principles of Religion Contained in a Shorter Catechism . The Church of Scotland approved it in July 1648, and it passed the Scottish Parliament in February of the next year. The purpose of the Shorter Catechism

329-437: A member of Christ's church in two ways: by testifying to my spirit that I am a child of God, and by moving me to obey the commandments'. The Catechism is most notoriously and explicitly anti-Roman Catholic in the additions made in its second and third editions to Lord's Day 30 concerning 'the popish mass', which is condemned as an 'accursed idolatry'. Following the late 17th-century War of Palatine Succession , Heidelberg and

376-581: A popular exposition called The Shorter Catechism Explained . Later, Reformed catechisms such as the 1693 Baptist Keach's Catechism mimic the Westminster catechism on most points except infant baptism. The Westminster Catechism is mentioned in Nathaniel Hawthorne 's The Scarlet Letter , chapter eight, in reference to Pearl's ability to bear a fair examination by this catechism. Heidelberg Catechism Frederick III , sovereign of

423-454: A summary of the catechism as a whole. As such, it illustrates the character of this work, which is devotional as well as dogmatic or doctrinal. The celebrated first Question and Answer read thus. What is thine only comfort in life and in death? That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all

470-708: A way to help children learn the meaning of the material, rather than simply memorizing the Lord's Prayer , Ten Commandments , and Apostles' Creed as had been the practice prior to the Reformation. Being the larger of the two catechisms, the questions and answers go into much greater detail than the Shorter Catechism is summarizing the chief points of doctrine explained in the Westminster Confession. The Larger Catechism consists of 196 questions and answers. The first set of questions and answers, 1-5, concern

517-554: Is a catechism written in 1646 and 1647 by the Westminster Assembly , a synod of English and Scottish theologians and laymen intended to bring the Church of England into greater conformity with the Church of Scotland . The assembly also produced the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism . A version without Scripture citations was completed on 25 November 1647 and presented to

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564-451: Is divided into three main parts. This part consists of the Lord's Day 2, 3, and 4 (Questions 3-11), discussing the following doctrines. This part consists of Lord's Day 5 through to Lord's Day 31 (Questions 12-85), discussing the following doctrines. This part consists of the Lord's Day 32 through to Lord's Day 52 (Questions 86-129). It discusses: The first Lord's Day should be read as

611-567: Is to educate children and others "of weaker capacity" (according to a preface written by the Church of Scotland) in the Reformed faith. It is based on the Larger Catechism, which was intended for use by ministers as they taught the faith to their congregations in preaching. The Catechism is in a question and answer format, which had been popularized by Martin Luther as a way to help children learn

658-529: The Electoral Palatinate from 1559 to 1576, was the first German prince who professed Reformed doctrine although he was officially Lutheran. The Peace of Augsburg of 1555 originally granted toleration only for Lutherans under Lutheran princes (due to the principle of c uius regio, eius religio ). Frederick wanted to even out the religious situation of his highly Lutheran realm within the primarily Roman Catholic Holy Roman Empire . He commissioned

705-473: The Long Parliament , and Scripture citations were added on 14 April 1649. Catechesis is a practice of teaching the Christian faith. New converts to Christianity were taught through lectures during the first four centuries of the Church's existence, but this practice was largely abandoned with the rise of Christendom . Christian humanists and Protestant Reformers sought to revive the practice, including

752-547: The Reformed . John Calvin 's Genevan Catechism was especially influential among the British Reformed. The most popular British catechisms included works by John Craig , James Ussher , Herbert Palmer , John Ball , and Anthony Tuckney . On John Knox 's return to Scotland after long exile because he was deemed by the authorities a heretic, the First Book of Discipline (1560) was drafted. It required that

799-716: The Westminster Assembly of Divines who, in part, used it as the basis for their Shorter Catechism . In 1870, it was authorised for use in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America . The Catechism is one of the three Reformed confessions that form the doctrinal basis of the original Reformed Church in The Netherlands , and is recognized as such also by the Dutch Reformed churches that originated from that church during and since

846-639: The 1566 Diet of Augsburg as based in Scripture rather than based in Reformed theology when he was called to answer to charges, brought by Maximilian II , of violating the Peace of Augsburg . Afterwards, the Catechism quickly became widely accepted. A synod in Heidelberg approved the catechism in 1563. In the Netherlands , the Catechism was approved by the Synods of Wesel (1568), Emden (1571), Dort (1578),

893-886: The 19th century. Several Protestant denominations in North America presently honour the Catechism officially: the Presbyterian Church in America , ECO (A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians), the Christian Reformed Church , the United Reformed Churches , the Presbyterian Church (USA) , the Reformed Church in America , the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches , the United Church of Christ (a successor to

940-402: The Catechism and closely oversaw its composition and publication. Ursinus was familiar with the catechisms of Martin Luther , John Calvin , Jan Łaski and Leo Jud and was therefore likely influenced by them, however the Catechism does not betray a patchwork nature but a unity of style. There are three major scholarly traditions identifying the primary theological origin or influences of

987-605: The Catechism: the first as 'thoroughly Calvinistic' or associated with the Genevan Reformation, the second as Reformed in the spirit of the Zurich Reformation and Heinrich Bullinger and the third as equally Reformed and Lutheran (especially Melanchthonian ). The third tradition is justified by the fact that Frederick III himself was not thoroughly Reformed, but in his life represented a shift from

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1034-562: The Elder , and Stanley Gower . When Palmer died soon after the constitution of this committee, another committee was formed with only Anthony Tuckney, Stephen Marshall , and John Ward, along with Samuel Rutherford (one of the Scottish commissioners, who could not vote). Anthony Tuckney is believed to be the most influential of the committee members on the Catechism. The previously published catechisms of James Ussher and John Ball, as well as

1081-650: The Forme of the Kirk of Scotland in 1644, it was aimed particularly at children and youth, and was not adopted by the Westminster Assembly of Divines. Twelve or fourteen of the members of the Westminster Assembly had produced catechisms themselves prior to the Assembly. Herbert Palmer was one of the most respected catechists in the country, and it was expected that his catechism, first published in 1640, would be

1128-886: The German Reformed churches), the Reformed Church in the United States (also of German Reformed heritage),the Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches , the Free Reformed Churches of North America , the Heritage Reformed Congregations , the Canadian and American Reformed Churches , Protestant Reformed Churches , the Reformed Protestant Churches and several other Calvinist churches of Dutch origin around

1175-687: The Hague (1586), as well as the great Synod of Dort of 1618–19, which adopted it as one of the Three Forms of Unity , together with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dort . Elders and deacons were required to subscribe and adhere to it, and ministers were required to preach on a section of the Catechism each Sunday so as to increase the often poor theological knowledge of the church members. In many Reformed denominations originating from

1222-497: The Larger Catechism was to help ministers prepare their own catechesis , as they taught the faith to their congregations in preaching, while the purpose of the Shorter Catechism was to educate children and others "of weaker capacity" (according to a preface written by the Church of Scotland) in the Reformed faith. Both the Larger and Shorter Catechisms are in a question and answer format, which had been popularized by Martin Luther as

1269-475: The Larger Catechism. Robert Baillie and other Scottish delegates found the work disappointing. In December 1643 a committee was formed to write the Catechism. In January 1647 the Assembly gave up writing one catechism and split it into two. The Westminster Shorter Catechism was to be "easier to read and concise for beginners" and the Larger Catechism was to be "more exact and comprehensive". The Catechism

1316-539: The Netherlands, this practice is still continued. While the catechism's introduction credits the 'entire theological faculty here' (at the University of Heidelberg ) and 'all the superintendents and prominent servants of the church' for the composition of the Catechism, Zacharius Ursinus (1534–1583) is commonly regarded as the catechism's principal author. Caspar Olevianus (1536–1587) was formerly asserted as

1363-505: The Palatinate were again in an unstable political situation with sectarian battle lines. In 1719, an edition of the Catechism was published in the Palatinate that included Lord's Day 30. The Roman Catholic reaction was so strong, that the Catechism was banned by Charles III Philip, Elector Palatine . This provoked a reaction from Reformed countries, leading to a reversal of the ban. In some Reformed denominations Question and Answer 80,

1410-667: The U.S.A. in the formulation of their Book of Confessions . However, it was embraced by the successor denominations such as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in that church's Book of Confessions as well as the more conservative successors, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church , the Evangelical Presbyterian Church , and the Bible Presbyterian Church . The purpose of

1457-700: The Westminster Shorter Catechism into that language. The result was published that same year, and the Gaelic Shorter Catechism continued to play a part in church life for decades after it had ceased to be used in the English speaking churches. The Free Church of Scotland still presents a Bible to a child who can answer all 107 questions accurately at one sitting. In 1675, the Presbyterian Thomas Vincent in London published

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1504-492: The basis for the Assembly's. It appears that this idea was abandoned by the committee assigned to the catechism after some work in 1645, followed by another failed attempt at a single catechism from the Summer of 1646 to 14 January 1647 At this point, the committee decided that it would need to produce two catechisms rather than one, as the needs of ministers and children were very different. The committee also decided to wait until

1551-540: The benefits that flow from redemption. The next set of questions, 39–84, discuss the Ten Commandments . Questions 85–97 teach concerning the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion . The final set of questions, 98–107, teach and explain the Lord's Prayer . This organization mimics the earlier Heidelberg Catechism used by many Continental Reformed churches. The most famous of the questions (known to

1598-617: The chief and highest end of man, the existence of God, and the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God. The next set of questions and answers, 6-90, concern God as Creator , original sin , the fallen state of man's nature, Christ the Redeemer, and the benefits that flow from redemption. Following that, the next set of questions, 91-152, discuss the duty God requires of man, as summarized in the Ten Commandments . Questions 153-177 concern

1645-514: The completion of the Confession of Faith , and to base the catechisms off this document rather than the Apostles' Creed. The Larger Catechism was completed and forwarded to Parliament on 22 October 1647, and another committee was set up for the Shorter Catechism composed of Herbert Palmer as chairman, Charles Herle , Thomas Temple , John Lightfoot , John Greene, Philip Delme, Edmund Calamy

1692-476: The composition of a new catechism for his realm, which would serve to both teach the young and settle the differences in doctrine between Lutherans and the Reformed. One of the aims of the catechism was to counteract the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as well as those of Anabaptists and 'strict' Gnesio-Lutherans like Tilemann Heshusius (recently elevated to general superintendent of

1739-412: The first of Lord's Day 30, have been removed or bracketed but noted as part of the original Catechism. According to W. A. Curtis in his History of Creeds and Confessions of Faith , 'No praise is too great for the simplicity of language, the accord with Scripture, the natural order, the theological restraint and devout tone which characterize this Catechism'. The influence of the Catechism extended to

1786-411: The meaning of the material, rather than simply memorizing the Lord's Prayer , Ten Commandments , and Apostles' Creed as had been the practice prior to the Reformation. The catechism is composed of 107 questions and answers. The first 12 questions concern God as Creator . Questions 13–20 deal with original sin and the fallen state of man's nature. Questions 21–38 concern Christ the Redeemer and

1833-428: The outward and ordinary means of grace , especially the preaching of the Word of God and the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion . The final set of questions, 178–196, teach and explain prayer, using the Lord's Prayer as a model. This organization mimics the earlier Heidelberg Catechism used by many Continental Reformed churches. Westminster Shorter Catechism The Westminster Shorter Catechism

1880-421: The power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; yea, and that all things must work together for my salvation. Wherefore by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto Him. Bierma argues that the opening lines of this answer are remarkably similar to Luther's explanation of

1927-588: The second article of the Apostles' Creed in his Small Catechism (1529), 'that I may belong to him [...] [Jesus Christ] has set me free [...] He has purchased and freed me from all sins [...] from the tyranny of the devil [...] with his [...] precious blood'. However, the end of the Answer appears to originate in a north German Reformed catechism which was a translation by Marten Micron of a work by Jan Łaski, which states that 'the Holy Spirit assures me that I am

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1974-475: The theme of 'comfort' (evident in the famous first Question), is also present in works of Luther and Melanchthon which were significant in the Reformation of the Palatinate. In its current form, the Heidelberg Catechism consists of 52 sections, called 'Lord's Days', to be taught on each Sunday of the year, and 129 Questions and Answers. After two prefatory Questions (Lord's Day 1), the Catechism

2021-481: The theology of William Perkins were also relied upon, however many of the similarities between the Assembly's Shorter Catechism and earlier ones may be explained by the common theological vocabulary of the time. The Shorter Catechism was largely based on the Larger Catechism, though the Shorter may have incorporated more of the earlier abandoned catechism than the Larger. It was sent to Parliament on 25 November 1647,

2068-488: The university) and Matthias Flacius , who were resisting Frederick's Reformed influences, particularly on the matter of the Eucharist . The Catechism based each of its statements on Biblical source texts (although some may call them ' proof-texts ' which can have a negative connotation), but the 'strict' Lutherans continued to attack it, the assault being still led by Heshusius and Flacius. Frederick himself defended it at

2115-542: The world. Likewise, the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church lists it as an influence on United Methodism. A revision of the catechism was prepared by the Baptist minister, Hercules Collins. Published in 1680, under the title 'An Orthodox Catechism', it was identical in content to the Heidelberg catechism, with exception to questions regarding baptism, where adult immersion was defended against infant baptism and

2162-623: Was completed by the Westminster Assembly in 1647. It was then adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1648 and (with modifications relating to the civil magistrate) by the Presbyterian Synod of New York and Philadelphia in 1788, and by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. , upon its formation the following year. In 1967, it was dropped by the United Presbyterian Church in

2209-682: Was convened at the height of the English Civil War to reform the Church of England . When the Solemn League and Covenant was as a result signed between the English and Scots the Assembly's work also became the framing of "four points or parts of uniformity": a Confession of Faith, Form of Church Government, Directory for Worship, and Catechizing. Although the church in Scotland (the Kirk) had produced The New Catechisme according to

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