What are the sacraments or ordinances? The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and sealsContinue reading “Catechism 43”
Category Archives: Theology
Catechism 42
How is the Word of God to be read and heard? With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith, store it in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. (New City Catechism) And teach. Let us be ready: the hands poised beneath the pages, holding open, as in prayer;Continue reading “Catechism 42”
Catechism 41
What is the Lord’s Prayer? Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver usContinue reading “Catechism 41”
Catechism 40
What should we pray? The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us. (New City Catechism) What then? The whole story beckons: Creation, fall, flood, a people set apart yet crumbling. Every moment shines what-might-be against what-is, entropy’s melancholy truth, and yet this potentiality ofContinue reading “Catechism 40”
Catechism 39
With what attitude should we pray? With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (New City Catechism) And He does, always: no unjust judge, unmindful of man, no stony indifference when bread is required, no doors shut atContinue reading “Catechism 39”
Catechism 38
What is prayer? Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving. (New City Catechism) Sometimes with words, sometimes with hearts groaning, fists shaking, a silent rumble. Sometimes with hope, sometimes in anguish, with little to hold, save Prayer’s ladder. Sometimes with sight, sometimes desperate, aching, every breath,Continue reading “Catechism 38”
Catechism 37
Catechism 37 How does the Holy Spirit help us? The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (New City Catechism) Dove: my best attempts are straw. My righteousness is dust,Continue reading “Catechism 37”
Catechism 36
What do we believe about the Holy Spirit? That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe. (New City Catechism) God’s wind blows wherever it wills – blows and leads the soul to life. The Spirit draws the dying spirit, draws and enters,Continue reading “Catechism 36”
Catechism 35
Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from? All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself. (New City Catechism) Even faith’s a gift: the thought that I can stretch out my hand and take free giftContinue reading “Catechism 35”
Catechism 34
Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word? Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faithContinue reading “Catechism 34”
The Consolations of Writing 