Doctrine and Drinks - Introduction
On September 13th we kicked off a monthly class at Trinity, working through the Westminster Confession of Faith. Each month we’ll study a few chapters from the Confession, examine the Scriptures supporting those chapters and then focus on two questions applying that doctrine to our specific circumstances.
Why Study Doctrine at All?
The Westminster Catechism opens with its famous question and answer: “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” We exist to glorify God and to enjoy God and this is why we study doctrine. To glorify God and to enjoy God we must know God and know what God has said. In other words the study of doctrine is pertinent to our very existence, for what we were made for. In a world in which we are bombarded with words and ideas and assumptions, steady and focused attention to what we believe about everything, grounded in the bible is essential to knowing what up and down is and to learn to truly love what is beautiful and do what is good. Time spent studying the scriptures and considering what they teach us is always time well spent, it will always bear good fruit.
Why the Westminster Confession of Faith?
Fairly simply, we are using the WCF because it is our church’s confessional standards. The WCF was written in 1646 out of a desire to reform the nation of England and its churches. It was also written as an attempt to see the great fruit of the Reformation in Europe and Scotland break out all over England. What’s fascinating is that the Westminster divines believed that for the nation to be reformed, doctrinal reformation in the pulpits as well as the homes was essential. The Confession and its subsequent catechisms were meant to be taught in homes around fireplaces and around dining tables. This was not meant to be merely some heady doctrine carried by ministers, but delivered by fathers to their families. Its aim was not merely theological accuracy but cultural renewal and reform. As we pray for and work towards reformation and renewal in our day this Confession can help serve those ends in our church and city.
How will we do this?
Each month I’ll ask you to take some time to read through the assigned chapters of the Confession before coming to the meeting. Review the listed proof-texts, learning both to see how the authors derived their doctrine from the scriptures listed, and how they were reading the scriptures themselves. Summarize each section of the assigned chapters in a sentence or two and then consider two questions in the light of the whole chapter:
1 - Where does this doctrine conflict with the prevalent culture of our day?
2 - How does this doctrine make a difference, specifically, to me and my life right now?
Finally, read through the assigned questions and answers from the catechism.
When we come together, I’ll introduce the topics we’ll cover and then we will have a robust discussion about the doctrines, the scriptures and your answers to the two questions.
What Will We Discuss October 11?
WCF Chapters 2, 3, 4 & 5
Larger Catechism Questions: 1-21
Recommended Resources to Help you along the way:
Westminster Systematics by Douglas Wilson
The Westminster Confession: A Commentary by AA Hodge