Where did the practice of catechesis originate?q
Catechesis was an age-old pedagogical method from classical education, which got picked up by the Reformers.
There are people whom you would not suspect who wrote catechisms. Bunyan wrote a catechism. We always talk about Pilgrim’s Progress, but he wrote a wonderful catechism. Charles Haddon Spurgeon also wrote a catechism. So, there’s a rich tradition, and if we’re not aware of it or cut ourselves off from it, that’s to our loss. There are wonderful catechisms, such as the old standards of the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism for our Dutch Reformed friends. These are great tools that can be very helpful.
This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with Stephen Nichols and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.
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Stephen Nichols
Dr. Stephen J. Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College, chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, and a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow. He is host of the podcasts 5 Minutes in Church History and Open Book. He has written more than twenty books, including Peace, A Time for Confidence, and R.C. Sproul: A Life and volumes in the Guided Tour series on Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, and J. Gresham Machen. He is coeditor of The Legacy of Luther and general editor of the Church History Study Bible.
Creeds and Confessions
Since Scripture is sufficient, should we avoid using creeds, confessions, and catechisms?
Is it important that a church subscribe to a confession? Why or why not?
Why do some Christians use the Westminster Confession while others use the Three Forms of Unity?
