| Orthodoxy Part 2 |
| 9. A confession of faith is a longer summary of Christian doctrine. Later, Christians expanded their brief summaries to include other doctrines. Some concentrate on specific truths which were debated at the time. Some are more theological, others more practical or ecclesiastical. If a creed is concerned with the primary dogma/doctrines/orthodoxy of the faith, confessions expand their focus to include the secondary and other less essential doctrines. Most churches have a confession of faith. The best and most well known ones are the Westminster Confession of Faith, the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, the Belgic Confession, and the 39 Articles of the Church of England. Many contain scriptural proof of the doctrines. 10. A catechism is a confession of faith in question and answer form. Catechisms were written mainly to instruct children and new converts. They are very useful for memorizing. The best ones are the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the Heildelberg Catechism, Keach's Catechism (the Baptist version of the Westminster Shorter), and others. Creeds, confessions and catechisms are useful tools to study the faith. But they must be tested by the Bible, for Scripture alone gives us true orthodoxy. |
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