The Presbyterian standards produced by the Westminster Assembly in the 1640s: a confession of faith and a Larger and Shorter Catechism.
Tagged: Catechisms Creeds and Confessions Reformation
Historical Context
The Westminster Assembly, called by the English Parliament, met from 1643 to 1649 and produced the Confession of Faith (1646), the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism (both 1647). The Church of Scotland adopted the Confession in 1647, and it became the doctrinal standard of Presbyterian churches worldwide. The Shorter Catechism's first answer states that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Together these documents are confessional standards of particular Presbyterian and Reformed churches, not ecumenical creeds of the whole Church.
Use and Practice
Presbyterian office-bearers subscribe to the Confession, and the Shorter Catechism is memorized by children and used in family and church instruction. Its closing questions present the Lord's Prayer as the special rule of direction for prayer.
References
- Creeds of Christendom, Vol. II (CCEL) Free / open access
- Ligonier Ministries Free / open access
Related Prayers and Creeds
- Belgic Confession — A 37-article Reformed confession written in 1561 by Guido de Brès for the churches of the Low Countries.
- Heidelberg Catechism — A Reformed catechism of 129 questions and answers, published in 1563 and organized around guilt, grace, and gratitude.
- The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) — The prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, shared by Christians of every tradition.
- London Baptist Confession — The confession of Particular Baptist churches, first published in 1677 and formally adopted in London in 1689.
Related Across the Site
- Apostles' Creed Prayer or Creed — The ancient baptismal creed of the Western Church, summarizing belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Athanasian Creed Prayer or Creed — A Latin creed, traditionally ascribed to Athanasius, that states the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation in precise detail.
- Augsburg Confession Prayer or Creed — The primary Lutheran confession of faith, presented to Emperor Charles V at Augsburg in 1530.
- Belgic Confession Prayer or Creed — A 37-article Reformed confession written in 1561 by Guido de Brès for the churches of the Low Countries.
- Heidelberg Catechism Prayer or Creed — A Reformed catechism of 129 questions and answers, published in 1563 and organized around guilt, grace, and gratitude.
- London Baptist Confession Prayer or Creed — The confession of Particular Baptist churches, first published in 1677 and formally adopted in London in 1689.
- Nicene Creed Prayer or Creed — The creed of the councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), the central doctrinal confession shared by most Christians.
- Thirty-Nine Articles Prayer or Creed — The Church of England's defining doctrinal articles, finalized in 1571 and printed in the Book of Common Prayer.