Christians who call themselves “Reformed,” count the Westminster Shorter Catechism a masterpiece among the uninspired writings of men. I use the word “uninspired” as I would make it clear that “Reformed” Christians do not consider the Catechism, the Confession of Faith, or any other merely human writing to be in anyway on par with Holy Scripture. The Rule for faith and life for the reformed believer is the Bible. The Catechism itself states as much. The writers of the Shorter Catechism considered themselves fallible men, and therefore were careful in their writing to support each part of the Catechism with Scripture proofs. The Catechism is also not meant to be exhaustive. It gives us a compendium of the teaching of the Bible.
Yet, if you read the Catechism and understand it, even a bit, you'll realize we are obviously not the emergent church. We are not at all wishy washy and blown by every wind of doctrine but we know what we believe and we know our God - Daniel 11:32. This does not mean we "limit God" because our theology itself recognizes that He is transcendent beyond us. Yet, He has revealed Himself, He is an excellent Communicator and what He has made known, that we delight and glory in - Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Additionally, I think it is important too to communicate that my making this website and my commitment to the doctrines taught (I believe in Scripture) and in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is by no means meant to be exclusivistic. You may disagree with me and still be a Christian. You may argue with my doctrine and still be treated as a brother or sister in Christ. I pastor a non-exclusivistic church, in a non-exclusivistic denomination. We do not believe we are the only true church of Christ. Our membership includes members who do not see eye to eye on every issue. Yet, when Christians dialog, should not part of that dialog (actually more than part) be about the things of God and Christ? This site gives you a taste of what I believe, how about you, do you agree? Do you disagree? Let me know!
"If the Westminster Assembly had done nothing more than produce the Shorter Catechism they would be entitled to the everlasting gratitude of the Christian Church ... next to the Bible, it was probably the best book in the world."
Puritan Richard Baxter (1681)
This website has three main pages. The first deals with questions 1-38 of the Catechism - Doctrine (what we are to believe). The second page deals with questions 39-107 - Duty (how we should live). The third page is the homepage for First Presbyterian Church, North Port, FL.
In adddition to these, two pages of my Sermons and Sermon Outlines are accessible from the first page and the church page. Many other pages build off these pages most are mine and others come from a variety of sources. Though most of this website is concerned with serious subjects there is a bit of humor hidden for those who look.
Seek and ye shall find!
God Bless you!
Arne Brevick
Pastor and Website Author
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