Shorter Catechism Q. 10. How did God create man? A. God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. Commentary: When God created man, that is, human beings, he created them male and female. He created the male, Adam, first, and then the female, Eve. … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 9. What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. Commentary: Where did the universe come from? Was it always here? Or did it have a beginning? And … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees? A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence. Commentary: God’s decrees refer to his eternal plan for the universe. A plan, however, is just that, a plan. It needs to be executed or carried out if it is to see the light … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 7. What are the decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. Commentary: The decrees of God pertain to God’s plan (purpose) for the universe. God is not someone who … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 6. How many persons are there in the godhead? A. 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. Commentary: The word “godhead” is an older word that the KJV uses in … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one? A. There is but one only, the living and true God. Commentary: One of the basic truths of the Bible is that there is only one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one.” This means that God is not … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 4. What is God? A. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Commentary: A.A. Hodge said that this is the best definition of God ever written. Although that might be excused as a bit of hyperbole from a biased Confessional Presbyterian who … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism 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. Commentary: The puritan Thomas Goodwin said that everything in the Bible may be reduced to two points: Credenda, things to be believed, and Agenda, things to be … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism 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. Commentary: If we are going to … [Read more…]
Shorter Catechism Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Commentary: The “chief end” refers to our ultimate and primary goal, and so the Shorter Catechism begins by addressing the fundamental issues of life such as the reason for our existence and … [Read more…]
