The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Quick answer: The westminster shorter catechism is a 1647 teaching tool composed of one hundred seven questions and answers designed to instruct ordinary believers and children in foundational reformed christian doctrines.
What it says
The document uses a simple question-and-answer format to teach core Christian doctrines to ordinary people and children. It begins by asking what the chief purpose of human life is, answering that people exist to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The subsequent questions cover the rules God gives for that purpose, focusing heavily on the Ten Commandments and the foundational truths found in scripture.
The text was shaped this way to make complex theological ideas easy to memorize and recite in families and schools. Each answer is carefully crafted to be brief, dogmatic, and easy to retain. Modern readers can use this resource to see how past generations distilled large theological systems into portable lessons for daily life and religious education.
Where it comes from
The text was completed in 1647 by the same Westminster Assembly that wrote the longer confession of faith, following a directive from the English Parliament. It was created to replace older catechisms and provide a uniform method of religious instruction across England and Scotland. Today, it remains widely used for instruction in presbyterian and reformed churches around the globe.
Produced by the same Westminster Assembly a year after the Confession, and designed for ordinary people and children rather than for ministers. It is 107 questions with fixed answers; the most quoted part is the first three questions, which are still used as a short statement of what the Christian life is for.
Four things to notice
- The first question defines the primary purpose of human existence.
- Early questions explain how the Bible guides human belief and behavior.
- The middle section breaks down the Ten Commandments into detailed moral duties.
- Later questions explain the Lord's Prayer and the purpose of the sacraments.
The text
Questions 1 to 3, with the traditional answers word for word.
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
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.
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.
Public domain. Read the full document at the source edition.
Scriptures behind it
Verses behind the first three answers — printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible. These are the passages the wording rests on, not the document's own proof-text list.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
- Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
- Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
- 2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
- John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
- Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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