We owe the team from Redeemer Presbyterian and the Gospel Coalition a debt of gratitude for compiling this fine resource. They should also be commended for offering their work to us free of charge! The New City Catechism provides a helpful entre into the study of catechism.

Earlier this month, Redeemer Presbyterian Church and The Gospel Coalition launched its New City Catechism (NCC). The Catechism’s website credits Timothy Keller and Sam Shammas for adapting the material from earlier Reformation catechisms, particularly the Westminster Larger and Shorter, Calvin’s Geneva, and the Heidelberg.

Let me say, first of all, that encouraging catechetical training is always a worthy enterprise, especially since, as noted in the introductory article, “the practice of catechesis, particularly among adults, has been almost completely lost today.”[1] In that regard, I applaud the efforts of those who participated in this project. As one who grew up in a non-confessional context, the Reformed catechisms have greatly enriched my understanding of the Triune God and the glorious gospel of grace. It has been a tremendous privilege to teach them to my children and congregation as well.

There are many aspects of New City Catechism that are worthy of praise. For one, it is visually impressive and extremely “user friendly.” I downloaded the iPad app which allows easy access to the questions, commentaries, videos, Scripture references and prayers.  The internet browser version works equally well. Both are equipped with several settings that can be customized (switching between NIV and ESV, parent and children’s versions, etc.) It also conveniently breaks down the catechism into three sections:

Part 1 – God, creation and fall, law

Part 2 – Christ, redemption, grace

Part 3 – Spirit, restoration, growing in grace

If you prefer a “stripped down” version, there is a PDF available with the simple text. Another pleasing aspect is having one central Bible verse as a reference for each question and answer. Sometimes, cross-referencing catechisms with several Scriptures can be an arduous, though profitable, task.

The prayer relating to each question and answer also adds a devotional richness as well. These spiritual gems are harvested from such luminaries as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Stott, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Bunyan, JC Ryle, John Chrysostom, C.S. Lewis, and Francis Schaeffer. These writers and other prominent historic figures also contribute commentaries to enhance the understanding of the doctrine presented in the catechism.

Perhaps the most profitable use of New City Catechism is as a year-long family or personal devotional.  The variety of resources integrated in each of the fifty-two questions and answers allows for a week’s worth of reflection around the breakfast table or sofa. Embedding the children’s answers with the more comprehensive ones for the adults is undoubtedly a clever touch and invites the entire family to work together in memorizing biblical doctrine.

Including the Apostles’ Creed is another nice touch, as it is historically considered a major catechetical piece, along with the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer (though the Apostles’ Creed is omitted from the Westminster Catechisms.).

I particularly enjoyed the unique emphasis of the last two questions. Question 51 centers on the benefits of Christ’s ascension. The answer states: “Christ physically ascended on our behalf, just as he came down to earth physically on our account, and he is now advocating for us in the presence of his Father, preparing a place for us, and also sends us his Spirit.”

In addition, the simple explanation of the New Heavens and the New Earth in question 52 provides a much needed corrective to those who are confused about the final destiny of mankind, particularly with reference to the body. This has been a particular challenge for people within my own congregation.

Initially, I approached the portion on the sacraments with lowered expectations, knowing that a broad group of scholars prepared the video presentations. Yet, I came away pleasantly surprised by the questions dealing with the Lord’s Supper (NCC 46, 47). All of the high points of Reformed Eucharistic theology and piety are represented, with an emphasis on thanksgiving, the spiritual and nourishing presence of Christ, a remembrance of His sufferings and death, along with a hopeful look toward the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Sometimes, we Reformed Christians are too penitential in our approach to the Supper, but these questions and answers sound a celebratory tone.

Although much of New City Catechism is laudable, there remain some areas of concern. The name, for instance, may alienate Christians who do not find themselves in an urban setting.  At the same time, I realize that it is, in part, a product of a metropolitan church in our nation’s largest city. However, this geo-specific moniker may mitigate somewhat against a wider dissemination.

In addition, I am not convinced that video presentations have a part to play in actual catechism instruction. Catechism is at its heart a dialectical exercise, a conversation, a question and answer between two flesh and blood people, something emphasized by Timothy Keller in the introduction: “…the practice of question-answer recitation brings instructors and students into a naturally interactive, dialogical process of learning.”[2]  It seems that something is lost when the explanations are “beamed in” through a two-dimensional screen. Some of my most cherished memories with my four children are sitting with them on their beds, teaching them these biblical truths, and explaining them personally to them (not to mention handing out M&Ms when they answered correctly, and sneaking them when they weren’t looking!).

Also, the approach of New City Catechism leans heavily on “celebrity pastors” from past (commentaries) and present (videos). Many of these contributions are excellent.  However, it would seem more natural and biblical for this instruction to come from fathers, mothers, S.S. teachers, elders, and local pastors. I know that all of the information can be helpful and useful in equipping, but it might send a message that the folks on the screen are “experts” and that this material is “beyond” the reach of ordinary Christians, when catechism should be the opposite – the “meat and potatoes” issues of the Christian life.

Obviously, to fit into a fifty-two question format, many significant doctrines must be reduced, edited or simplified. The section on our Lord Jesus Christ provides a glaring example. I truly missed the emphasis on the three offices of Christ as mediator (GC 33, WSC 23-26), as well as those questions about His humiliation and exaltation (WSC 22-28). These are near and dear to my heart in my personal prayer life, as well as in teaching and preaching to the saints. Also, the sections on sin and the fall of man (NCC 14-18), could have been augmented to include a more detailed description of the effects of the fall, similar to what we find in WSC 18 and 19.

Because of contemporary discussions and debates surrounding the Genesis account of creation, it seems odd that NCC 5 remains silent on the days of creation. It states: “God created all things by his powerful Word, and all his creation was very good; everything flourished under his loving rule.” This answer combines WSC 9, with the spirit of HC 6, but leaves out the vital phrase, “in the space of six days” from WSC 9. In a day of confusion over origins within the reformed community, this omission further muddies the water and leaves the matter open to a theistic evolutionary explanation.

Another theological sticking point is the use of the term “ordinance” to accompany the word “sacrament” in NCC 43. This seems like a nod to those from Baptistic traditions. The nod continues with NCC 46 on baptism and particularly, the explanation video. There is no mention (or even allusion) to the concept of infant baptism. I know that the intent here is to be nonspecific and broad on a potentially contentious issue, but the catechism states that it is the property of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA). In my view, this part of the catechism is inadequate for Presbyterian children and adults. It is vitally important for our covenant children to understand why they were baptized and why we continue to baptize infants (Gen. 17:7-13; Acts 2:38, 39). Presbyterians would be well-served to stick with WSC 94 and 95 or HC 74. The last thing that a Presbyterian catechism ought to do is to throw the baby out with the baptismal waters!

One final critique of the NCC is that the full text of the 10 commandments should be presented for memory. I understand the concern to condense and I appreciate the summaries and “short form” presented in NCC 8-13. However, I do not think it unreasonable for children and adults to memorize the full text from Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5. In fact, I know scores of children between the ages of 5 and 12 who have performed beautifully in reciting the complete Decalogue, some even younger! That does bring up the area of expectation. I certainly am sympathetic with the authors’ intent to make catechism “achievable even for people with demanding schedules,”[3] but we also want to challenge our people to equip themselves with “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3).  If children have historically mastered the fuller text of the Catechism for Young Children, not to mention in earlier years, the Westminster Shorter and Heidelberg Catechisms, we should not discourage them from this enterprise by lowering too far the standard of expectation.

To be sure, we owe the team from Redeemer Presbyterian and the Gospel Coalition a debt of gratitude for compiling this fine resource. They should also be commended for offering their work to us free of charge! The NCC provides a helpful entre into the study of catechism. This is the intent of Timothy Keller and the others who worked on the project, that it would “encourage people to delve into the historic catechisms and continue the catechetical process throughout their lives.”[4]

My concern, however, is that many people will see this reduction of the larger body of material contained in the Geneva, Heidelberg, and Westminster Catechisms as “enough,” kind of a “Mere Catechism,” and stop. Because of the influence of the outstanding authors and contributors and the potential of wide, pervasive distribution via current technology, it might become a de facto confession of faith for contemporary Reformed Christians. In particular, since it is sponsored by a prominent and influential PCA congregation, there may be a danger of the NCC supplanting, to some degree, the standards that ministers and elders in that body have vowed to uphold. A potential unwanted side effect of this otherwise praiseworthy project could be a coalescing around a reduced New City Theology over against the fuller expressions of the older confessional tradition of the Reformed faith. These cautions aside, New City Catechism and its varied accompanying resources deliver a powerful introductory tool for individuals and families to expand their knowledge of biblical doctrine.

Dr. Robert D. Cathcart, Jr. is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and is Pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church in Laurens, SC.