Christianity has a long history with catechisms—summaries of key doctrines that are arranged in a question-and-answer format. Traditionally, Presbyterians would be taught The Shorter Catechism, Dutch Reformed believers The Heidelberg Catechism, and Baptists one of the Baptist equivalents. Sadly, the use of catechisms began to decline as the years went by, so that it became relatively rare to find churches or traditions that made regular use of them.
That said, the past few years have seen a resurgence of interest in catechisms, at least among those who hold to the Reformed tradition. Many have returned to the classics, and many have embraced the New City Catechism, which is a kind of hybrid that embraces the best of them all.
More recently, Trevin Wax and Thomas West teamed up to create The Gospel Way Catechism, which meets a very specific need. In fact, it may be best to understand it as a kind of counter-catechism—a catechism that counters the teaching of a secular age with biblical truth. “Counter-catechesis,” they say, “is a way of presenting Christian truth as opposed to the dominant beliefs of a society.” The outlook that pervades Western society today is “a secularism that marginalizes and privatizes religious faith and authority; a built-in bias against transcendence and the supernatural; a radical commitment to individualism, pluralism, and skepticism; an openness to all kinds of personal spiritualities that start with the self and not with God.” A counter-catechism is a way of addressing such beliefs by essentially saying, “Christianity is not this but that.” It’s a way of explaining what a secular culture believes and then showing how Christianity offers better, truer, and more satisfying answers.
Through 50 short chapters, each just a couple of pages in length, Wax and West offer answers to some of life’s biggest questions. Each of them addresses a common misunderstanding and offers a biblical explanation. The chapters have a question and answer that can be read, pondered, and even memorized, then an explanation, questions for reflection, and Scripture texts that back it all up.
The questions fall into seven broad categories that cover God, creation and identity, the fall and sin, the story of redemption, salvation by the Spirit, the people of God, and future hope. Question 1 asks, “What is the center and point of everything?” and the answer is, “God is the center and point of everything. In him, all things came to be and are held together. He has no rival.” The explanation tells how this counters the naturalism and radical autonomy of the secular West, showing that God does not exist for us, but that we exist for God.
Question 11 asks, “What is sexuality?” The answer is, “Sexuality is a God-given aspect of humanity. Male and female, our bodies are designed for procreation through the union of a man and woman in marriage. Sexuality is embodied, not imagined; physically grounded, not psychologically determined.” Immediately, we see that this answer is consistent with Scripture, but also written in such a way that it deliberately counters cultural narratives related to the acceptance of homosexuality, the existence of transgenderism, and the idea that gender can be unmoored from sex. “In a world marred by sexual confusion, Christianity brings good news. The church issues the most inclusive invitation in human history, welcoming people from every background, no matter their self-perception or struggle. At the same time, this invitation is transformative, offering a life-changing relationship with God that redeems and refines our understanding of identity and sexuality.”
Much later, in chapter 42, they ask, “What is prayer?” They answer, “Prayer is communion with God in the name of the Son with the help of the Spirit.” So far, this could be the answer in any traditional catechism, but then they add information that counters contemporary misunderstandings. “Prayer is a pursuit not of ‘mindfulness’ but the mind of Jesus, through praise, confession, and petition. Its aim is not self-expression, but spiritual formation.” Quickly, they address the therapeutic practices that are so common today—practices that turn prayer inward instead of first upward and then outward. “Christian prayer is not emptying the mind of distraction but filling the mind with truth—God’s promises, seen most clearly in the character and redemptive work of Christ.”
The Gospel Way Catechism could be used in many ways, but may find its most natural use in contexts in which Christians or those exploring the Christian faith have been deeply immersed in secular teaching. Of course, it can also be used with teens or young adults to prepare them to understand the world they must live in and to know how to counter its most compelling narratives. In any case, this is an effective resource and one you would do well to consider reading and discussing with others.
Note: The Gospel Way Catechism Workbook is an optional add-on that will be especially helpful for those who would like to read and discuss it with others.
