Three cheers for every effort to re-introduce the catechism to today’s Christians. The catechism has a centuries-long proven record of effective use, and surely our generation is only the worse for having forgotten it. Several years ago Tim Keller introduced The New City Catechism, an adaptation of the catechism for a new generation, and now it has a brief devotional study to accompany each of its 52 questions.
The catechism itself plans one question for each week through the year, and the answers are – like the Gospel Coalition – both moderately Reformed and generally inclusive of both Baptist and Presbyterian understandings. Some answers regarding such matters as the Sabbath and the sacraments will not satisfy everyone, but overall it will find happy use for most TGC types. The content of the catechism is available freely on the website along with commentary, video, and a related prayer.
Now Crossway has published an accompanying devotional with remarks for each question from both a prominent figure from church history and a contemporary preacher also. Included are contributions from the likes of Athanasius, C.H. Spurgeon, and D.Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and also men from today such as D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, and Alistair Begg.
It would be difficult to overstate the value of a good catechism, and this new “devotional” to accompany The New City Catechism makes it all the more useful.
Here’s a list of related resources:
- The New City Catechism – Paperback and Kindle
- The New City Catechism website – be sure to notice the videos
- The New City Catechism mobile app
- The New City Catechism songs to aid memorization – free audio downloads
- The New City Catechism Devotional – Hardcover and Kindle
Highly recommended.