Nathan W. Bingham’s Microblog

Thanks to Michael Ives for posting this excerpt from John MacLeod’s Scottish Theology in Relation to Church History. Fathers, don't forsake the treasure that is catechesis!

"From the point of view of modern pedagogy as set forth by so many theorists, who aspire to rank as specialists in the subject, exception has been taken to the wisdom of the method taken by the Reformers in conveying instruction. Their critics hold that it was neither wisdom nor sound educational method for them to frame careful statements of Christian truth to be learned by heart by those under their charge. Now we may take it that our fathers never meant to satisfy themselves when a mere rote acquaintance with such statements was attained. They aimed at the opening up of the form of sound words in which they set forth the truth of the Gospel. And when what was committed to memory was opened up by loving teachers at the fireside or in the congregation, the good of having learned the letter of such statements, which were a valuable exhibition of the Faith, came out. And, what was more, those who, in the immature years of childhood, had their minds stored with what at the time when they learned to repeat it might be beyond their reach had, in later years, when their powers came to a measure of ripeness, the chance of working in their mind what they once had learned only by rote. They carried with them from childhood a treasure the good of which they had been long familiar. Often have those who have gone through a course in catechistic training in their early days come to discover how useful this teaching is to them now that in later days they have come to feel the power of the truth. They are like a mill with all its mechanism in order that waited for the turning on of the water that it might work. Once the power is brought to bear upon them they learn to their profit the connections in which the various portions of divine truth stand to one another. And thus they start their new life of discipleship with valuable assets to their credit. When bread is thus cast upon the waters it may be found when most needed – in after days. There is this over and above the blessing that often attends at the time the opening up and explanation of these statements to the mind of the child. For those who teach a Catechism are expected to open up its teaching and explain its meaning."

Thanks to R. Scott Clark for linking to Wes Bredenhof's post on the importance of parents catechising their children. As Bredenhof was reading the Acts of the Synod of Dort he noted several things:

On Friday November 30, 1618 in its morning session, the Synod of Dort issued its decree on the manner of catechesis. Dort followed Bremen’s division of catechetical duties. The work of parents, however, was put up front. According to Dort, it is the work of parents to instruct their children and the whole family with all diligence in the elements of Christian religion. With an eye to each one’s capacity, parents are to seriously and diligently exhort their families in the fear of God and sincere piety. They are to discuss the sermons and especially the teaching of the Catechism. They are to read the Scriptures and explain them. If parents were not faithful in these duties, they were to be admonished by the pastors, and if necessary reprimanded and censured by the consistory.

You can read the entire post over at YINKAHDINAY.

Michael Ives recently posted an interesting extract from the published minutes showing the Westminster Divines discussing catechetical methodology:

Rutherford '—on objections—(l.) It is said the Apostles did not use such a way. I think they did. "Is then the Law of God of none effect ?" is a sort of sample question from the Apostolic Catechism. (2.) It takes away the proper work of the minister. Denied. 'There is as much art in catechising as in anything in the world. It may be doubted, whether every minister do understand the most dextrous way of doing it.'  Marshall hesitated a little about adhering, too formally, to the bare question-and-answer method of the Catechism.  Bridge: 'Two ends of catechising: increase of knowledge and test of knowledge. For the first there must be explication of the terms of divinity—redemption, etc., must be first explained. For the test of their knowledge it is better that answers should be made by sentences than by aye and no.'  Gillespie: 'This is a profitable discourse, which is the best way of catechising. I like the form—capital questions by themselves, and particular questions by aye and no. When we were lately in Scotland, we had occasion to speak of this way, and showed them the example of it, and they all liked it very well.'  Dr. Gouge: 'Ministers are physicians; they must observe the patient.' Herle : 'I would have aye and no to be expressed, but not distinct. It should be the first word of the answer.' Seaman: 'There are two things before us: about a catechism, and about catechising. It is a little too much to prescribe to the minister this form or that.' Reynolds: 'We all agree that way which is most for ingenerating knowledge is to most to be used—but I do not see that this way before us is the best." Delmy: 'A catechism is for propounding knowledge in the most familiar manner, and to find out the measure of the knowledge of the party. The experience of the Reformed churches is to be considered.' Palmer : 'You must consider others as well as children.'