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LATEST MAGAZINE ISSUE

WESTMINSTER MAGAZINE
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VOLUME
5
ISSUE
1

The Christian Citizen

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01
January

More Catechism Needed

By

Cornelius Van Til

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Last week the Rev. Benson Male told me that the Shorter Catechism with proof-texts had been translated into Arabic and that 22,000 copies had been printed. He handed me a copy with a picture of himself in it. I said, “Ben, much as I would like to take it, I simply have no time to read it today!”

Naturally, I thought of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Could we have 22,000 copies printed (in English), enough for each family to have a copy?

Could we have a minister, perhaps retired, or a team of retired pastors, give a brief exposition of each question and answer? Would those who mimeograph our local church bulletins consider placing an insert into it weekly?

Perhaps also our pastors could preach a series of sermons, based on Scripture, but guided by the order of topics discussed in the catechism.

Mr. Male told me that a group of Arab people requested instruction in the truths of Christianity. "What would you like me to use as a guide, the Bible?” "Of course the Bible, but what we need is guidance through the Bible; it often reads as a series of loosely related stories. Please, Mr. Male, teach us the Shorter Catechism." That is what he is doing now. With some enthusiasm he said to me, "The Shorter Catechism is the best evangelistic instrument I know.”

This pleased me no end. For I long knew that it is the best organizational instrument the Reformed Churches have. When the Russellites [Jehovah's Witnesses] and their many fellow deviates come to my door in teams armed with tracts, they quote the Bible. Do you believe in God? Of course we do, Do you believe in Jesus the Son of God? Of course we do. But when you, courteously, point out that the Mohammedans also believe in God, the pantheists also believe in God, etc., etc., but not in the God of John 3:16, they are in a great hurry to leave.

Dr. Machen told me that his mother taught him the Shorter Catechism and that he recited it to her at the tender age of ten. There are Shorter Catechism Christians and non-Shorter Catechism Christians.

Just now I spoke of the many isms of our day; but time flies. The Confession of 1967 is evidence enough and more to prove that there are many who boast themselves as being adherents of the Westminster Creeds, but who have perverted the gospel. They say, Lord, Lord; but the Lord knows them not. They are shepherds who eat but do not feed the sheep. Will someone write a new Against the Heresies for today?

‍

Notes

Cornelius Van Til

Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987) served as Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Seminary until 1975. His work in presuppositional apologetics remains a hallmark of our institution.

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