The Baptist Catechism as I understand it was based mostly on the Westminster Shorter. Good start or you would think so. But seriously what were they thinking with changing the first question? The wonderful question “What is the chief end of Man?” was changed to this;
Q. Who is the first and chiefest being?
A. God is the first and chiefest being (Is. 44:6; 48:12; Ps. 97:9).
I am not arguing against the answer but did they think they were one upping the Westminster divines by taking man out of the equation? Westminster I think wisely started with the question on everyone’s heart and takes us deep into the heart of God with each question there after. Bravo!
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
C.H. Spurgeon saved the Baptist Catechism when he changed the question back for use in his own church. Spurgeon’s Catechism is probably the only "Baptist" Catechism I am aware of that lives on still.
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