Using a Catechism to Instruct Christians in the Faith

Some might ask, why not just memorize Scripture instead?

Ultimately, Scripture must be interpreted. The thing I appreciate about catechesis is that it helps to provide a concise and organized teaching of what is taught in Scripture and thus initiates children and new Christians into the bibilcal tradition from which they can interpret Scripture rightly. It provides a starting point from which we can begin to read Scripture as it was intended to be read.

Catechisms are generally a product of systematic theology. They seek to speak in a concise and ordered way about the founational truths of the Christian faith. Scripture itself does not always do this. We will not find a concise statement in Scripture about the nature of the Trinity or the Hypostatic Union. And while Scripture memory serves a critical role in the educaton of Christians, it does not provide the kind of systematic and large-picture understanding of the faith one obtains through studying a catechism.

While a good catechism incorporates the words of men and does not hold the authority of God's Word, it is a secondary authority which will serve as a reliable indicator of what God's Word teaches. This kind of function is consistent with the call of Scripture upon church leaders (and parents) to teach sound doctrine (which presumes the use of extrabiblical constructions).

The Isaianic New Exodus in Colossians 1

In Colossians 1:12-14, Paul explains that part of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of Christ (v. 10), is to "give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." Paul then goes on to give the reason we are able to walk in a manner worthy of Christ. The reason is that "He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Note that when Paul uses this language, he is bringing to the minds of his readers the new exodus about which the prophet Isaiah and several other Old Testament prophets speak. In the Jewish mind, during the time when this was written, the Exodus was the most significant event in the history of the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel was subject to brutal slavery in the land of Egypt. But through an awe-evoking supernatural work of God, they were delivered out of the hands of the Egyptians and brought to inherit the Promised Land. It is with this background that Isaiah begins to tell of a new covenant, a new inheritance, and a new exodus. In Isaiah chapter 60, Isaiah prophesies saying, “behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” And then in the following chapter, Isaiah says that he has come “to preach good news to the poor” and “to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners from darkness.”

So now when Paul says that these Christians have been "delivered" from the "dominion of darkness," when he speaks of "the inheritance if the saints" in v. 12, and when he speaks of their "redemption" in v. 14, he’s saying that the time of the new covenant, and the time of the new inheritance, and the time of the new exodus has dawned! Hallelujah!

Celebrating Canada's Victory over the US in the Greatest Hockey Game of All Time

Last night the Canadian hockey team beat the United States in overtime in the 2010 Winter Olympics. This may have been the most watched hockey game of all time. For this reason, it was probably one of the most important games for the sport in North America in the history of the game. Both teams played well and fought hard as they represented their respective countries. In the end the United States won silver and Canada won gold.

The thing that caused me a second thought about this game (and about sports in general) was my own response to the loss and the response of the US team. I was personally emotionally disappointed by the loss. And in interviews after the game and in the medal ceremony, the US team was clearly dejected. Ryan Miller, the goalie for the US, in an interview following the game was visibly upset about the loss and there were no smiles on the faces of the US players during the medal ceremony.

The question I want to raise is, “Why?” Why was I upset by this? Why were the players upset? Of course, it’s a very common thing for sports fans to be upset when their teams lose. Everyone wants their team to win. But why is it? Is this an appropriate response for a Christian?

I think there are some very commendable attributes in the sport of hockey. The hard work, determination, and discipline required to play well are valuable qualities worthy of emulation. It is completely appropriate to appreciate a difficult play made by a player who has trained to such an extent that he has become one of the best in his sport. There is also a level of integrity in playing according to the rules and in the teamwork that is required to excel in a sport like hockey. And so there is much that is worthy of respect.

But why do we want so desperately for our team to win? Why do players desire so strongly to win? It seems that a player can embody all that is commendable in hockey—the hard work, determination, discipline, integrity, and teamwork—while at the same time never winning a game. Yet it seems impossible that we could rightly appreciate these commendable qualities in others—in our opponents—if our ultimate goal is to win.

So, then, let there be joy in Canada’s victory. Let us rejoice in the hard work, determination, and discipline that enabled these players to achieve the level of proficiency in the sport they’ve achieved. Let us celebrate the intensity with which they played. Let us delight in the well-deserved silver medal earned by the US team knowing that the praiseworthy character qualities that have enabled them to achieve it display the character of their Creator. And let our love of the sport cause us to find satisfaction in knowing that the game’s outcome came as a result the game played out between these two extraordinarily great hockey teams.

At the end of the day, sports, like most things, can be either a means to God’s glory or a means to idolatry. Let us therefore celebrate the sport as we seek the former and flee the latter.