Catechism in conversation
By Linus Chua, Pilgrim Covenant Church, 144pp (paperback)

Price: S$10.00 nett

There was a time when the Westminster Shorter Catechism was well-known and highly regarded in Presbyterian Churches and even in Calvinistic Baptist Churches. Today, it is generally not so. In fact, a few years ago, a pastor of a conservative Presbyterian church, who saw me reading the Catechism, was so intrigued by it that he asked me where he could get a copy! In all his years of ministry, he had apparently only read about it in church history textbooks. I hold nothing against this pastor, but I was not only amazed but also saddened that the church should have allowed this diamond of a tool for Christian education to slip into oblivion while eagerly gorging the trashy Sunday School materials that are being pandered everywhere.

I am convinced that this tragic lapse together with the de-emphasis and even opposition to the use of the Confession of Faith has led to the shallow and lawless brand of Christianity that characterises the life of so many professing Christians today.

Oh may the Lord grand us His help that we may return to the old paths, and walk in the way without being tossed to and fro by every wind of false doctrine and human opinion! Oh that the Lord would restore our knowledge of His Word through the faithful and consistent use of the Catechism, which He has so kindly given us by His providence!

But first, we must get the people interested in the Catechism again. How can we convince a people so accustomed to milk and porridge to taste and ingest the strong meat that we put in their hands?

This, I believe, is one of the things that this little book is seeking to do. And our brother has, in my opinion, done an excellent job at it. The Catechism is in itself crafted in such a way as to aid instruction through a catechical or dialogical method, which has been used with much success by great teachers such as Plato, Anselm, Aquinas and Gerstner. Our brother is essentially following this scholarly tradition. But he has dramatised it so engagingly, and has so seamlessly fitted the meaty statements of the Catechism into day to day conversation, that it will convince even the reluctant layperson that theology is not cold and heartless, but rather thoroughly practical.

I found it very delightful, instructive, and refreshing to read this book. I am sure that in the hand of God, it will be used to great profit to strengthen the faith of many and to restore the glory of Christ, which many a congregation has seen in better days. Amen.

Pastor J. J. Lim