The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15–17)
A question that comes up frequently by visitors and newcomers is why we utilize creeds, catechisms, and confessions at Grace Church. Some even think it is strange. A common thing I have heard is it is a wink and a nod to Roman Catholicism. Others wonder if we are making too much of the words of men and even placing such documents on par with Scripture or even in place of scripture. This being Reformation Day (Yes that's what October 31 actually is!) I thought it would be helpful to give a more thorough explanation as to why we as a church and denomination think these are important and how these are biblical and also very Protestant!
At present, there is a negative attitude toward theological and doctrinal precision among many evangelical Christians. Some say things like, 'I don’t need theology. I just need Jesus and the Bible. Anything more is unnecessary, and a hindrance to simple, pure faith in Jesus.' But the statement itself - “I just need Jesus” means nothing if we do not answer some important questions: Who is Jesus? Is he God? Man? Both? Mormonism, Islam, and Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own versions of Jesus so we need to be clear about which one. As soon as we begin to explain what the Bible says about Jesus, we are doing theology. Catechisms and Confessions are simply formulated trustworthy sayings that summarize what we believe.
It was not long after the Reformation began that reformational churches began to produce catechisms for this purpose. There was much theological confusion during those times. Many were studying the Bible for the first time and trying to work out what it all meant. Martin Luther had his catechisms and the Augsburg Confession. There was also the Heidelberg, Belgic Confession and later the Westminster Confession and Catechisms were written. But why were they written? Why not just teach the Bible? Certainly, they were teaching the Bible too, but the reason for these documents was to serve as summaries of what the Bible teaches. These confessions and catechisms were like a trellis for the anticipated growth of the vine of biblical knowledge and understanding, meant to guide and aid their understanding of all the Bible teaches. The Bible, of course, is the only infallible rule for faith and practice, that is what we mean by Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). But Sola Scriptura does not mean Scripture is the ONLY rule for faith and practice. Other rules are not only helpful, they are referenced in the Bible itself. The above verses from 1 Timothy are an example of early "trustworthy sayings" meant to help followers of Christ, especially new followers, to learn the message of the Bible and the gospel story ahead of their own study of the Bible. It could almost read like a catechism question and answer.
Q. Why did Christ Jesus come into the world?
A. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Q. What do you believe about God?
A. He is the King Eternal, Immortal, invisible, the only God.
Many commentators agree these trustworthy sayings were established to provide a biblical foundation upon which to build their ongoing biblical knowledge. Furthermore, it helps the church identify false teachings and errors. These serve as a "pattern of the sound words". (2 Timothy 1:13) For example, if we have a good handle on the doctrine of the Trinity we will be able to tell when someone is teaching the wrong idea because we know the pattern of sound words that says, There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. (Shorter Catechism Q&A 6) The patterns of sound and trustworthy sayings serve as a defense against false teaching and false teachers, something Paul repeatedly urges Timothy to be aware of in both letters and elsewhere.
But none of this is meant to replace learning the bible. We should always be like the Bereans who "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11) But at the same time, we should not be seeking to reinvent the wheel. We do this when we refuse to learn from history which we know, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Learning the message and meaning of the Bible takes time. By learning from those who came before us, we are not only learning from history but from history that has been proven to be true to the scriptures for centuries. This is why we are teaching the Apostles Creed, Children's catechism in Sunday School, utilize several creedal statements in worship, and why we are studying the Heidelberg Catechism on Sunday nights. We believe the pattern of trustworthy words help us better know the Bible, better know God, help us "attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Ephesians 4:13–14)
For further reading:
Why Creeds and Confessions? (Ligonier)
Why You Should Care About Catechisms
The Importance of Catechizing Our Children - by David McWilliams (Ligonier)
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