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The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) was designed to be a "directory for catechizing such as are of weaker capacity", primarily children and new believers. While it is called "Shorter," it is famous for its incredible precision and depth. It consists of 107 questions and answers.
The Catechism is structured into two main parts:
What man is to believe concerning God (Questions 1–38).
What duty God requires of man (Questions 39–107).
Part 1: What We Believe (Theology)
Part 1: What We Believe (Theology)
The Chief End and The Rule (Q. 1–3)
The Chief End and The Rule (Q. 1–3)
The Catechism begins with its most famous line: "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." It establishes that the Bible is the only rule given to direct us toward that goal.
The Nature of God and His Decrees (Q. 4–12)
The Nature of God and His Decrees (Q. 4–12)
Definition of God: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
The Trinity: There are three persons in the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Ghost), and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Providence: God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures.
The Fall and Sin (Q. 13–19)
The Fall and Sin (Q. 13–19)
Sin: Defined as "any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God."
The Fall: Our first parents fell from their original state by eating the forbidden fruit. Since Adam represented all humanity, all mankind fell with him into a state of sin and misery.
The Redeemer and the Work of Christ (Q. 20–28)
The Redeemer and the Work of Christ (Q. 20–28)
The Covenant of Grace: God elected some to everlasting life and brought them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer.
The Three Offices: Jesus Christ executes the office of a Prophet (revealing God's will), a Priest (offering Himself as a sacrifice and interceding), and a King (subduing us to Himself and ruling/defending us).
The Application of Redemption (Q. 29–38)
The Application of Redemption (Q. 29–38)
This section explains how we receive salvation:
Effectual Calling: The Spirit convinces us of our sin and enables us to embrace Jesus Christ.
Justification: An act of God’s free grace where He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous.
Adoption & Sanctification: We are made children of God and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.
Part 2: What We Do (Our Duty)
Part 2: What We Do (Our Duty)
The Moral Law and the Ten Commandments (Q. 39–81)
The Moral Law and the Ten Commandments (Q. 39–81)
The "Duty of Man" is primarily obedience to the Moral Law, summarized in the Ten Commandments. The Catechism spends 42 questions breaking down:
What is required in each commandment.
What is forbidden in each commandment.
The reasons annexed (why God gave the specific command).
Man’s Inability and the Means of Grace (Q. 82–97)
Man’s Inability and the Means of Grace (Q. 82–97)
Inability: No mere man is able to keep the commandments perfectly.
Escape from Wrath: To escape the wrath of God due to sin, God requires of us Faith in Jesus Christ and Repentance unto Life.
Means of Grace: God communicates the benefits of redemption through His Word, Sacraments, and Prayer.
The Sacraments (Q. 92–97)
The Sacraments (Q. 92–97)
Baptism: A sign and seal of our engrafting into Christ and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace.
The Lord's Supper: A sacrament where, by giving and receiving bread and wine, Christ's death is showed forth, and the worthy receiver partakes of His body and blood (spiritually, by faith) to their spiritual nourishment.
The Lord’s Prayer (Q. 98–107)
The Lord’s Prayer (Q. 98–107)
The Catechism concludes by using the Lord’s Prayer as a model for how we should talk to God. It breaks down each petition (e.g., "Hallowed be thy name," "Thy kingdom come") to explain what we are specifically asking for in prayer.
Summary Table: The Two Halves
Summary Table: The Two Halves
Questions 1–38, Doctrine (Faith), Key Question: "What is God?" (Q. 4)
Questions 39–107, Ethics (Practice), Key Question: "What is the duty which God requireth of man?" (Q. 39)
Why it Matters to the Covenanters
Why it Matters to the Covenanters
The Shorter Catechism was the "handbook" of the Covenanter home. Even during the "Killing Times," parents would use these questions to teach their children the theological grit needed to stand firm against persecution. To know the Shorter Catechism was to know the legal and spiritual basis for why they refused to bow to the King.
A full version of the Shorter Catechism can be found here.
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