A contribution to the renaissance of catechism. Investigates the meaning and history of catechizing, and outlines practical considerations and steps for productive catechizing.

A persuasive call to the grand tradition of catechizing our covenant children. May the church hear and heed this call. If we do, perhaps we will reap a harvest of stalwart saints who are zealous for Christ's crown and covenant.
SUSAN HUNT

One of the most important and practical tools for pastors, parents, and teachers that I have come across in recent years. I plan on ordering it in boxes.
MICHAEL S. HORTON

Van Dyken sets a tone of optimism and joy about this central duty and unspeakable privilege that God has given his churches. Even those who do not share his commitment to the baptism of infants can benefit from his cogent argument and helpful suggestions.
TOM J. NETTLES

Parents everywhere-particularly homeschoolers-will rejoice. Historically sound, biblically substantive, practically oriented, immediately accessible-a book every pastor, Sunday school teacher, elder, and principal will be able to recommend.
GEORGE AND KAREN GRANT

It is hard to think of anything that would be of greater-or more lasting-benefit to Presbyterian and Reformed churches than to take heed to Van Dyken's wise counsel.
G. I. WILLIAMSON

John MacArthur writes, "This volume of catechisms, pleasingly and surprisingly from a tradition not often noted for such tools, should both encourage and aid the church in fulfilling the mandate of "holding fast the form of sound words."
Tom Nettles is professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Tom Nettles has done a wonderful job of bringing together some of the most cherished and valuable documents of the Baptist heritage. These catechisms have been greatly used by God awaken and nuture faith among Baptist people in days gone by. And they are still as revelant and transforming as ever! This book is a great resource for parents, pastors, teachers, and all others who are charged with passing on the faith intact to the rising generation. A great asset for the church!
TIMOTHY GEORGE, Dean of Beeson Divinity School

Continental Reformed Confessions

The (Belgic) Confession of Faith
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This confession was written in 1561 in what is now Belgium, and is confessed by many churches today, particularly those of Dutch and German origin.It came into being by way of John Calvin and the French Reformed Churches.

Its structure is theological—it confesses the truth about God, man, Christ, salvation, the church, and the last things.

The Heidelberg Catechism
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This also is a continental reformed confession, adopted in 1563 by the Reformed Churches of the Palatinate (a part of present day Germany). Along with the Confession of Faith and the Canons of Dort it is confessed by many churches today as one of the “Three Forms of Unity”, so called because true unity is found in a common confession of the truth of God’s Word.

Its format is catechetical and experiential; that is, it traces by question and answer the manner of God’s salvation—bringing the sinner to a consciousness of sin, of deliverance through Christ, and of a life of obedient service and thankfulness.

Canons of Dort
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Where the primary aim of the Confession of Faith was a witness to the world, and the focus of the Heidelberg Catechism is believer to believer, the Canons of Dort are addressed primarily to heretics.

The Canons of Dort were formulated by an international Synod in the Netherlands city of Dordtrecht meeting in 1618-19. This Synod was called by the States General (government) of the Netherlands to resolve the controversy arising from the teaching of James Arminius whose followers published his main arguments as the Five Articles of the Remonstrants. That teaching was known from then on as Arminianism and condemned as heresy by the Synod.

The Canons are formulated in an apologetic form, that is, under each head of doctrine it first confesses the truth and then rejects errors. The five heads are remembered under the acronym TULIP—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints. Historically these have come to be known as the Five Points of Calvinism, although they only encompass a portion of that system of biblical truth reclaimed and taught by John Calvin.

Presbyterian Confessions

These confessions are as certainly “reformed” as the previous ones. Their origin however was in Great Britain rather than on the continent of Europe.

The Westminster Confession
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This confession was written in 1647 at Westminster, England by an assembly of delegates from the churches of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Its date will tell you that it originated in a time of great Puritan strength, for Charles I was on his way out and Oliver Cromwell was on his way to becoming Lord Protector.

This confession, coming as it does about one hundred years after most of the other Reformed confessions, reflects the doctrinal maturity and precision that so many years of struggle, reflection, and study gained. It is arranged in thirty-three chapters, generally speaking following the theological arrangement of the Belgic Confession of Faith.

The Westminster Larger Catechism
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This confessional catechism was also written in 1647. It was developed as a practical means to teach the truths of the Westminster Confession. It includes in its coverage, in common with the Heidelberg Catechism and Luther’s catechisms, the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism>
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As its name implies, this is an abbreviated version of the Larger Catechism and was formulated at the same time. Its answers are probably more frequently and fondly remembered than those of the Larger since it is primarily used for catechizing children.

The Heidelberg Catechism—A Study Guide, by G. I. Williamson

Description: A guide to the study of the Heidelberg Catechism. 241 pages. Designed for the catechetical instruction of youth.
Bookstores: Cumberland Valley Bible Book Store - www.cvbbs.com

Study Helps on The Heidelberg Catechism, by Norman L. Jones

Description: Title describes contents. Commentary and review questions. Reformed Church US. 129 lessons, glossary, 290 pages.
Bookstores: Book Depository, Reformed Church in the U. S., 1303 Evergreen Dr., Sturgis, SD 57785

I Belong—A Course of Study on the Heidelberg Catechism, by James Visscher

Description: Title describes contents. Student Workbooks: Volume One - 224 pages; Volume Two - 240 pages. Teachers Manual, 168 pages. Canadian Reformed.
Bookstores: Inheritance Publications - www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/ip.htm

Before the Face of God, by Louis Praamsma

Description: A study of the Heidelberg Catechism in two workbooks for catechism students.
Bookstores: Inheritance Publications - www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/ip.htm

The Shorter Catechism—For Study Classes, Two volumes, by G. I. Williamson

Description: A guide to the study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Volume 1 - 170 pages; Volume 2 - 175 pages. Presbyterian.
Bookstores: Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service - www.cvbbs.com

Complete Shorter Catechism

Description: Presbyterian. A complete teaching package including:

1. The Shorter Catechism With Scripture Proofs booklet.
2. The Shorter Catechism For Study Classes, Volumes 1 and 2, (described above) by G. I. Williamson, with quarterly tests. 170 and 165 pages.
3. The Concise Survey of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Study Guide with Key) by Dale K. Dykema. 76 pages.
4. Day-by-Day Scheduling Guides for each module.

Bookstores: Covenant Home Curriculum - www.covenanthome.com

The Shorter Catechism Explained, Thomas Vincent

Description: An exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Bookstores: Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service - www.cvbbs.com

Westminster Shorter Catechism Memory Cards

Description: Each card has a catechism question on one side and the answer on the back. 107 cards with container.
Bookstores: Great Commission Publications - www.gcp.org , Crown & Covenant Publications - www.psalms4u.com

First Book of Christian Doctrine, by Hylkema & Tuuk

Description: For students in third and fourth grades. Traditional questions and answers, etc. Old paths Christian Reformed.
Bookstores: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2930 Chicago Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49418

A Beginning Course in Christian Doctrine, by P. Y. De Jong & John R. Sittema

Description: For students in fifth and sixth grades. Traditional questions and answers, etc. Old paths Christian Reformed.
Bookstores: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2930 Chicago Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49418

An Introduction to the Compendium of Reformed Doctrine, by Ymen P. De Jong (revised by A. C. De Jong and J. H. Piersma)

Description: “A Catechism for Junior High Students containing questions and answers, written work assignments, lesson explanations and biblical word studies.” 25 lessons, 53 pages. Old paths Christian Reformed.
Bookstores: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2930 Chicago Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49418

Everything In Christ, by Clarence Stam

Description: Catechetical instruction in the Belgic Confession. Includes outlines on church history, polity and liturgy. 174 pages. Canadian Reformed.
Bookstores: Inheritance Publications - www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/ip.htm

But For the Grace of God, Cornelis P. Venema

Description: An exposition of the Canons of Dort (TULIP—five points of Calvinism).
Bookstores: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2930 Chicago Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49418

Unspeakable Comfort, A Commentary on the Canons of Dort, by Peter G. Feenstra

Description: Title describes. Explanation of TULIP (five points of Calvinism). 210 pages. Canadian Reformed.
Bookstores: Inheritance Publications - www.telusplanet.net/public/inhpubl/webip/ip.htm

The Five Points of Calvinism—Defined, Defended, Documented, by David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas

Description: This is a study manual rather than a question and answer catechism. It can surely be taught by the catechetical method. The title describes its contents. The Five Points of Calvinism are 1-Total Depravity, 2-Unconditional Election, 3-Limited Atonement, 4-Irresistible Grace, 5-Perseverence of the Saints.
Bookstores: Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service - www.cvbbs.com, Crown & Covenant Publications - www.psalms4u.com

What We Believe, Cornelis P. Venema

Description: An exposition of the Apostles’ Creed.
Bookstores: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2930 Chicago Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49418

A Summary of Christian Doctrine, by Louis Berkhof

Description: Follows the six loci of theology: the doctrines of God, man, Christ, salvation, the church, and the last things. Explanation, scripture memory, scripture study, questions for review. 30 lessons, 184 pages. For advanced catechetical instruction.
Bookstores: Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service - www.cvbbs.com