The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Forged in the turmoil of the English Civil War, the Westminster Shorter Catechism (completed 22 November 1647; authorised 1648) distils Reformed Christianity into 107 crisp Q&As—beginning with the timeless claim that our ‘chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.’ Intended as a clear primer ‘for new beginners,’ it soon became far more: Scotland’s parish-school textbook, the fireside manual of English Non-conformists, and the doctrinal spine of Presbyterianism. Four centuries on, churches throughout the Reformed tradition still turn to its concise theology and pastoral wisdom to anchor worship, shape discipleship, and guard ‘the faith once delivered to the saints.