Resources to Help Better Understand the Baptist Catechism

Church, I wanted to share with you three resources that I have found useful in my studying of the Baptist Catechism. While two of the three resources are based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, you will see that the WSC and Baptist Catechism are very similar. A majority of the differences are in regards to the teaching on Baptism and the numbering of the catechism questions (the sequence of the doctrinal standards are the same). I have provided a link to amazon.com for you to view in more detail. If you would like to review a physical copy of one of these resources please see me as I will have them with me on Sundays.

Training Hearts, Teaching Minds Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade

This devotional book provides material and scripture passages to read and discuss from Monday through Saturday. It is a quick and easy read with practical insight and application perfect to incorporate into your family worship time.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism: For Study Classes by G. I. Williamson

This resource is a more in depth treatment of the catechism.  On average, four to six pages are dedicated to the explanation of individual or group of doctrinal standards. The author often includes simple illustrations to help articulate the concepts being taught, provides an abundance of scripture references, and discussion questions at the end of each section.

A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism by Benjamin Beddome

Benjamin Beddome, a minister who lived from 1717-1795 wrote, A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism which explains the Baptist Catechism by the way of further asking questions and providing the answers to those questions by directly quoting scripture.

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A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos

Publisher’s Synopsis: “Pastor Jason Helopoulos calls parents and church leaders to reclaim the practice of family worship. This indispensable means of grace directs our children to seek Christ daily, preparing them to go out into the world as fully functioning Christian adults, who love Christ and see all of life in relation to Him.”

Nerd Factor: Low

Emmaus Staff Comments:

Purchasing Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp

Publisher’s Synopsis: “Are you hoping to merely survive your teenagers? With compassion, wit and wisdom, Tripp uncovers the heart issues affecting families during the often chaotic adolescent years. Gain assurance of God’s provision for parenting success and discover ways to seize the countless opportunities to deepen communication, learn, and grow with your teens.”

Nerd Factor: Low

Emmaus Staff Comments: Great book!

Purchasing Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence by John Piper

Publisher’s Synopsis: “The chasm between the biblical vision of marriage and the common human conception is—and has always been—gargantuan. Reflecting on over forty years of matrimony, John Piper exalts the biblical meaning of marriage over its emotion, exhorting couples to keep their covenant as a display of Christ’s covenant-keeping love for the church. He aims to lift the church’s low view of marriage to something infinitely greater, namely, a vision of Jesus’s unswerving allegiance to and affection for his bride. This Momentary Marriage unpacks the biblical vision, its unexpected contours, and its weighty implications for married, single, divorced, and remarried alike. Now available in paperback with a freshly redesigned cover, Piper’s book on marriage holds even greater appeal.”

Nerd Factor: Low

Emmaus Staff Comments: This is a helpful book. It argues for the glory of God as the supreme purpose of marriage. It also presents a sound treatment of the roles of husband and wife in the marriage relationship. I (Joe) highly recommend it.

Purchasing Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller

Publisher’s Synopsis: “Based on the acclaimed sermon series by New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller, this book shows everyone—Christians, skeptics, singles, longtime married couples, and those about to be engaged—the vision of what marriage should be according to the Bible.

Modern culture would have you believe that everyone has a soul mate; that romance is the most important part of a successful marriage; that your spouse is there to help you realize your potential; that marriage does not mean forever, but merely for now; and that starting over after a divorce is the best solution to seemingly intractable marriage issues. But these modern-day assumptions are wrong. Timothy Keller, with insights from Kathy, his wife of thirty-seven years, shows marriage to be a glorious relationship that is also misunderstood and mysterious. The Meaning of Marriage offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to know God and love more deeply in this life.”

Nerd Factor: Low

Emmaus Staff Comments: Timothy Keller’s, “The Meaning of Marriage”, is easy to read, and it provides a rather broad treatment of the biblical principles that ought to undergird the Christian marriage. The chapter headings are as follows: 1. The Secret of Marriage, 2. The Power for Marriage, 3. The Essence of Marriage, 4. Loving the Stranger, 5. Embracing the Other, 6. Singleness and Marriage, and 7. Sex and Marriage. I would recommend this book to those not yet married, to newlyweds, and to those who are looking for a marriage “tune up”.

Purchasing Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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When Sinners Say “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey

Publisher’s Synopsis: “Marriage is the union of two people who arrive at the altar toting some surprisingly large luggage. Often it gets opened right there on the honeymoon, sometimes it waits for the week after. The Bible calls it sin and understanding its influence can make all the difference for a man and woman who are building a life together. When Sinners Say “I Do” is about encountering the life-transforming power of the gospel in the unpredictable journey of marriage.

Dave’s writing style embraces the reader as he speaks honestly, and sometimes humorously, about sin and the power of the gospel to overcome it. He opens the delightful truth of God s word and encourages the reader to see more clearly the glorious picture of what God does when sinners say ‘I do.'”

Nerd Factor: Low

Emmaus Staff Comments: I (Joe) would recommend this book to couples who are working through a marriage situation where one, or both, of the spouses have sinned against the other. In a way, this applies to all married couples, doesn’t it? And for that reason, I would encourage all married couples to read it. But in my opinion, the book would most beneficial to couples in crises – to couples who need to extend grace and mercy to one another in their marriage relationship. The subtitle of the book is, “Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage”, and this indeed is the thrust of the book. We, as Christians, have been forgiven much. Are we not also to extend mercy and grace to one another, especially to our spouses, with whom we have entered in to covenant? The chapter heading are as follows: 1. What Really Matters in Marriage, 2. Waking Up With the Worst of Sinners, 3. The Fog of War and the Law of Sin, 4. Taking it Our for a Spin, 5. Mercy Triumphs over Judgement, 6. Forgiveness, Full and Free, 7. The Surgeon, the Scalpel, and the Spouse in Sin, 8. Stubborn Grace, 9. Concerning Sex, and 10. When Sinners Say Goodbye. The chapter on sex was solid. The chapter on the death of a spouse was a great conclusion to the book. It put everything in to perspective, and was rather moving.

Purchasing Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Publisher’s Synopsis: “Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child’s heart into the paths of life. Shepherding a Child’s Heart gives fresh biblical approaches to child rearing.”

Nerd Factor: Low

Emmaus Staff Comments: If I could recomend only one book to parents, this would be it.

Purchasing Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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A Classic on the Doctrine of Salvation

Publisher’s Synopsis: “Murray systematically explains the two sides of redemption: its accomplishment by Christ and its application to the life of the redeemed. In Part I he considers the necessity, nature, perfection, and extent of the atonement. In Part II Murray offers careful expositions of the scriptural teaching about calling, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.”

Nerd Factor: Medium

Emmaus Staff Comments: I (Joe) have recommended two other books on the Doctrine of Salvation in the past – and I would still recommend them. But I would be amiss if I failed to recommend John Murray’s classic, “Redemption Accomplished and Applied.” I would say that the reading level of this book is a bit higher than the others, but it is certainly worth the investment.

The book is broken in to two parts, as the title suggests. The first section examines the work of Christ and his accomplishment of redemption. The question under consideration is, what did Christ accomplish at his coming – through his life, death and resurrection? The second section of the book examines the application of redemption. The question here is, how is the work that Christ accomplished applied to individuals as they live in human history?

John Murray’s writing style is clear. The categories that he presents are immensely helpful when seeking to understand this often misunderstood doctrine. I do hope that you put this book on your wish list, and that you are strengthened by it in the not to distant future.

Purchase Options: Amazon, Monergism Books

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"Him we proclaim,
warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

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