Contending for the faith
As Jude writes, Christian leaders are “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”.1 And this is no less important today than it ever has been. Indeed, for Jude, this was a matter of urgency. There were some who had “crept in unnoticed” to the Church, and were trying to “pervert the grace of our God”.2
To contend for the faith, we must both know and teach it thoroughly. The Apostle Paul, it seems, did this systematically to both individuals3 and whole churches.4 In fact, it is from one of the Greek words for teach that we get our word catechise (or the nouns, catechesis and catechism). Catechesis is systematic teaching and instructing in the truth.
Standing on the shoulders of giants
Historically, pastors have often catechised their congregations through questions and answers, perhaps using a catechism like the Heidelberg or the Westminster, or writing their own.
It was common practice in the early church to use catechisms to teach the fundamentals of the faith to non-Jews who were interested in the Christian gospel. “It seems that every congregation of any size in the second and third centuries had its ongoing instructional classes”, which “always climaxed with confession of faith and solemn baptism on Easter eve”.5
Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote of “the deplorable, miserable” levels of spiritual understanding of most people: “the common man, especially in the villages, knows practically nothing of Christian doctrine.”6 In response, he wrote a catechism.
Richard Baxter (1615-91) similarly saw the need for this kind of systematic teaching in his parish in Kidderminster. He trained two fellow workers and between them they spent two days a week, morning until evening, going house to house, teaching a catechism.7
Advantages of catechesis
There are many advantages of such an approach, in any church context.
Loving the truth: A good catechism not only systemises the core truths of the faith, but applies them to the heart. Think of the Heidelberg catechism, which asks throughout, of what benefit is each doctrine to the believer. Learning a catechism warms the heart to love the truth more deeply.
Guarding against error: A good catechism also trains the mind to spot falsehood. When you read or hear something new, a memorised catechism acts like your nose does when you open the fridge; it instinctively alerts you if something smells a bit funky behind everything else.
Establishing the new: We are often looking for new systematic ways to teach the faith to new Christians. Catechisms have long been used for this exact purpose, either for individuals, groups, or a whole church.
Being ready with an answer: Christians often say that they feel a lack of confidence answering tricky questions from non-Christians. How different this can be if they have learned answers to questions like “what is faith?” or “why did Jesus die?” This is also true of parenting. From time to time, my children come home from school with something their friends or teachers have said about marriage and relationships. But the catechism has a statement about God’s design for marriage, which is invaluable in framing the conversation. Catechisms put clear answers within easy reach.
Uniting the flock: We are constantly systematising truth, whether we realise it or not. Having a confession or catechism learned and repeated together, bit by bit, Sunday by Sunday, is a wonderful way of building unity around common ground. The truth is best enjoyed all together.
Next: How do I catechise my church, my family, or myself?