Praise Factory: A Children's Systematic Theology

August 11, 2009 • Systematic Theology • by
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The Praise Factory is well thought out and flexible systematic theology curriculum for pre-school and elementary age children. The best part is that The  Praise Factory is now offering all of the curriculum, including parent resources and music, to be downloaded free of charge. The author of the curriculum is Connie Dever, wife of Mark Dever, senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC. The curriculum is broken down into three age categories, Teach, Take & Tell is targeted towards 2′s & 3′s, Big Questions and Answers for Little People is targeted towards 3′s-5′s, and The Praise Factory provides curriculum for children grades k-5th.

Rachel and I had been working on putting our own ideas together for some form of systematic instruction for Caleb to correspond with the pre-school lessons that Rachel will be beginning in the fall. We were both excited when we came across The Praise Factory curriculum two weeks ago. It’s a great resource that is being made available to parents at no cost. I would strongly encourage taking some time to visit praisefactory.org to review and become familiar with the materials available.

To find out more about the philosophy behind The Praise Factory, you can read Connie Dever’s explanation in her article, Two Dead Men and a Diamond.

The Heidelberg: A Case for Catechesis Part 2

August 6, 2009 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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Once we begin with a Biblically shaped anthropology, we can throw out this idea of moral neutrality. We are not simply blank slates approaching information. We must recognize our need for a Spirit filled, grace saturated, gospel shaped, discipleship driven, and pride humbling process of progressive sanctification that continually combats our vain idolatry. Catechesis is one of the tools the church has used throughout history to aid us in that process.

Also to be noted is the increasingly rapid trend towards a completely subjective approach to scripture, faith, and practice. This is not only an epidemic within our culture but is becoming broadly accepted within Evangelical circles as well. By subjective I mean that we approach scripture by asking the question, “What does this mean to me?” Or, worse yet, as is becoming increasingly common, to rephrase that question to ask how the text makes us feel; as if to say that our emotional experience is now the highest measure of truth.

The truth claims of scripture of completely objective; meaning that they are true whether we believe them or not. In countering subjectivity, what must be discerned is whether what we claim to be scriptural truth is the product of careful exegeses in exposing the original meaning of both human and Devine authorship; or whether the claim of scriptural truth is rather the product of inserting our own presuppositions into the text.

Catechesis provides the sound theological foundation from which we can build upon as we grow in our faith, understanding, and service. We are provided with a systematic summery of the teaching of scripture on key issues that are a sure rock bed to the Christian life. Whether we are children or adults; whether this is the first time through a catechism or simply a refresher; every believer will benefit greatly from the rich theological wealth and heritage preserved for us. Whether it be the Heidelberg Catechism or either of the Westminster Catechisms (longer or shorter), it would be an outstanding disciplinary exercise to regularly visit or revisit the historic reformed catechisms as well as spending a good deal time with their parent confessions.

The Heidelberg: A Case for Catechesis Part 1

August 5, 2009 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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A few years ago Tim Keller made a comment during a conference workshop that has staid with me through the years. I don’t remember which conference it was, but I do clearly remember his words of caution: “We all bring our presuppositions to the Bible. The question is, are those good presuppositions.”

Our presuppositions are formed out of our understanding of who God is and how he relates to his creation. To address our presuppositions deals things primary to the development of our worldview. How our presuppositions come about carries over into our understanding of anthropology. To begin with anthropology takes us to not only to the origins of humanity but our understanding of our human nature and condition.

If we do not begin with a Biblically informed anthropology we will most likely error in our assumption of man’s moral ability. The human heart is an idol factory. Even as regenerate Christians we need to recognize our tendency towards assigning to God what is most pleasing to us. Left to our own devices, we will always default to creating a god that suits our own passions, pursuits, and desires.

The Heidelberg: An Introduction

August 4, 2009 • Heidelberg Catechism • by
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This past Sunday I began posting a series on the Heidelberg Catechism. You may or may not have seen that come through. While reflecting on the questions and answers I had a few thoughts come to mind. First, I should have provided some form of historical introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism prior to beginning this series. Hindsight is always 20 / 20. My second thought was that in addition to going into the history of the Heidelberg, I should have explained some of my reasoning for beginning this series. It is with the later of the two that I would like to begin this introduction.

It is my intention to continue posting the questions designated for each Lord’s Day for you to reflect upon, memorize, and use for personal or family devotional time. The questions and answers designated for that week will be posted each Sunday morning at 6:30 AM. I know that some are earlier risers and I wanted to be sure to have the questions and answers available for your morning devotionals if you so choose.

I also hope to post questions from time to time that we have already covered in the weeks prior. These will be a pop quiz of sorts to test how well you have memorized the answers to the questions.

The primary purpose for providing the questions and answers each week is to not only glean from the great theological wealth that the catechism has to offer but also introduce many who, like myself, may never have had the privilege of being instructed through a formal catechism. It is my hope that others will recognize the need for historic reformed catechisms to be brought back into our parish life and worship.