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Preface

Just like any book to read, and especially books about the true Christian faith, the age old question comes up from some readers and potential readers. So many books over the years have been printed, even professing reformed books, why should I read this book and who is to be encouraged to read it? Let us consider the types of people that should be encouraged to read this book: The Westminster Shorter Catechism Explained and Rooted in Scripture, With the Fundamentals of the Faith Marked out and the Heresies Refuted. There are five categories of people that should be encouraged or even pressed to read this: 1) People that call themselves “reformed,” in attendance in a professing reformed church, and have read the book by Thomas Vincent, The Shorter Catechism Explained From Scripture, 1674; 2) People that are attending a professing reformed church which is striving to be reformed and the church utilizes the Shorter Catechism, the Heidelberg Catechism, or a reformed Baptist Catechism with regular gospel doctrinal teaching, even catechetical preaching; 3) Those who are in attendance of a church which is “reformed” in name only, that is, nominally reformed and is a neo-reformed sect, or the person has temporarily stopped attendance at their last ‘pit stop’ or trial of a professing reformed church and simply worship at home; 4) Basic adherent Christian relatives attending a professing reformed church has crossed the line to be a sect (see QA 3); 5) Basic adherent Christians who want an answer to why so many of the politicians, medical physicians, and sectarian churches in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, United Kingdom and the United States supported and participated in an authoritarian unmerciful scheme in the last five years or more which resulted in genocide and depopulation, from mandated vaccines-injections in certain employments, hospitals, and schools.

The question may come up, though, why do we need another explanation book on the Shorter Catechism, when the professing reformed realm has G. I. Williamson’s The Shorter Catechism, For Study Classes (Vol. 1-2)? The answer is twofold: 1) First, G. I . Williamson ignored the reformed classic explanation of the Shorter Catechism written by Thomas Vincent (1674), instead of quoting from it and advancing it; 2) He deliberately made his explanation overly simplified to the point of fundamental gospel doctrinal errors. It is also filled with childlike cartoon characters, wherein reformed evangelical readers would wonder who the book was written for: young children or poorly educated public-government school young “teenagers.” In fact, G. I. Williamson was a ‘dyed and the wool’ neo-reformed sectarian preacher and a definite example of invasion into reformed evangelical churches (Acts 15:5; Gal. 5:7-19; I Cor. 11:6; Tit. 3:10-11; Jude 3-4, KJB, Geneva B); and this will be proven throughout this book. The printing of this book since 1970, with many editions, is a very sad commentary on the state of neo-reformed semi-Presbyterian churches for the last 50 or more years.

When sending a copy of this book to (1) people who are in attendance at a church striving to be reformed evangelical, having read Thomas Vincent’s explanation of the Shorter Catechism, they should read this book in due course, even with sending them this Preface to read first. They only need some pertinent encouragement. This group of people are readily familiar with the Shorter Catechism and the need for it in professing reformed Presbyterian churches and in the home. In fact, this book is an answer to those fervently praying for works of reformation, reformation under King Jesus (see QA 26), and the exposing of neo-reformed heresies.

Now let us deal with the (2) people that are attending a professing reformed church which is striving to be “reformed” and the church utilizes the Shorter Catechism or the Heidelberg Catechism with regular teaching or categorical preaching; however, the church is struggling in the reformed faith with inadequate ungifted preaching in the pulpit. In this book, the reader will learn the difference between a genuine reformed church, one striving to be reformed evangelical, or sectarian neo-reformed (In Greek and later Latin ‘neo’ means new). If they read this book, they will learn of the fundamental error of hypercalvinism. Readers will also learn that there is no such thing as a three point Calvinist; this is a 20th century make believe hopeful notion, stated in ignorance; or in some cases such ministers are being deceptive or at best is incompetent to be a pastor (see Prov. 26:20-28; II Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15; II Pet. 2:1-3; Tit. 3:10-11, KJB, Geneva B).

Now how do we get those attending these professing reformed churches to read this book who have been taught a terribly wrong view of Galatians 5:15: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” In fact, the sender may be concerned that the recipient will not read it because of this; so why send it? The answer is first; in Scripture, it is not divisive to send it. Biblically, it can only be unifying for the church of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:42; Rom. 16:17-18; I Cor. 1:10; 8:3, KJB, Geneva B)) to send it with encouragement and prayer: only sectarian knowledge can “puff” someone up and make them prideful. Any preacher that tries to teach a sectarian false application of Romans 16:17-18 or I Corinthian 8:1 is a heretic. Second, it is necessary to promote this book for works of reformation to promote a reformed catechism, representing the reformed evangelical fundamentals of the faith, rather than repeating the aged old thought and prediction, borrowed in ignorance from hypercalvinists in the early 21st century: “They will not read it.”

The Shorter Catechism was written and adopted together as the Larger Catechism and the Westminster Catechism within five years, bringing much needed uniformity in doctrine, worship and practice to the 17th century Church of Scotland; but more pointedly, the Shorter Catechism was adopted specifically for uniformity in communicant membership, godly fellowship, and even compatible marriage (Psa. 119:63; Gal. 5:7-9, 15-21; I Cor. 11:18-19, KJB, Geneva B). There is a known and vital historic Presbyterian adoption act of the Shorter Catechism (1647). Readers can thereby know that the church officers of the “Presbyterian” Church of Scotland and the Presbyterian Church of England were to defend the exact teaching of the Shorter Catechism for the reformed evangelical faith, without exceptions, together with church ordinances for essential church uniformity (see v, Assembly at Edinburgh, July 28, 1648. Sess. 19. Act Approving the Shorter Catechism).

What about a reformed Baptist definitely utilizing one of their three reformed Baptist catechisms (Benjamin Keach’s Catechism-1689, the Reformed Baptist Catechism-1693, and Surgeon’s Catechism-1864)? Can they be encouraged to read this book, since in recent days, some are starting to speak of “Christian Nationalism” in terms of Christ executing the office of a King (QA 26)? Yes, they can; and for readers old enough to remember and can explain to younger reformed evangelicals, that in the mid-20th century, there was more coordination between genuine reformed evangelical Presbyterians and genuine reformed evangelical Baptists. Reformed Baptist congregations sent students to reformed Presbyterian seminaries and even exchanged pulpits. Both camps had puritan reformed evangelical books in their pastoral library and promoted them.

Then what changed in the latter 20th century? The answer is that neo-reformed Padeobaptists invaded the reformed Presbyterian seminaries and begin to teach a neo-calvinism, a divsive set of gospel doctrines, rejecting reformed evangelical repentance unto life and rejecting reformed evangelical obedience (see Jude 3-4); and in the 21st century, we have a generation of professing “reformed” Presbyterians, who are neo-reformed Padeobaptists and have no interest in a serious study of the Shorter Catechism for communicant membership, when their professors and pastors have displayed a multitude of exceptions to the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dordt, and the Shorter Catechism. So how do we get serious reformed Baptists to read this book? It must be made clear to them up front that Thomas Vincent’s explanation of the Shorter Catechism and this book do not teach the neo-reformed false gospel nor their sectarian Padeobaptism. Instead, these two explanations of the Shorter Catechism consistently teach the reformed evangelical faith with Westminster Presbyterian Baptism. Padeobaptist assumptive regeneration is not taught in the Westminster Standards. Instead, it will be proven to be a heresy (see QA 17-18, 31-35, 94-97).

We now turn to those 3) who are in attendance of a church which is “reformed” in name only, that is, nominally reformed; or they have temporarily stopped attendance at a neo-reformed sectarian church and simply worship at home. We need to make something quite plain to these potential readers. Regular attendance at nominal or neo-reformed sectarian congregations is not good for the souls of hearers; and it is reminiscent of the false interpretation of Hebrews 10:24-25 divorced from verse 26 and without knowledge of the true meaning of Acts 2:42, Romans 16:17-18, II Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:6-9, 5:9-21 and I Timothy 4:16 (KJB, Geneva B); and switching to only home worship without serious effort to contact a faithful reformed evangelical church in terms of recorded sermons, internet worship and or a reformed evangelical mission congregation is a severe violation of the 2nd and 4th commandments. Frankly, long term attendance at a congregation that is neo-reformed or worshiping at home without reformed evangelical preaching will not promote evangelical obedience nor sanctification in the truth (see QA 88-90); and such passages of Scripture related to peace of conscience and assurance of salvation will have no practical meaning to the hearer or reader (see QA 36). Also if the potential reader has no biblical assurance of salvation, banking on a false assurance and a false gospel, they can have no peace that when they die that they will go to heaven. Instead, they need to be told in love that they should bank on going to hell and pressed to read this Preface, this book, and with fervent prayer seek to get under the preaching of a faithful reformed evangelical pastoral ministry, as soon as possible..

For God’s true repentant believing people who are meek (see QA 2) and fear God (QA 3) what is to be said to the basic adherent Christian (4) relative, spouse, older children, brother and sisters or even former good friends. They have occasionally asked why do reformed evangelical people act so “divisive” in this day and age in the visible church? The answer first is what they brand to be “divisive behavior” is clearly explained in Scripture by the mouth of Jesus Christ, His Apostles and Prophets; and it is fruit bearing in speech and actions unto submission to the Scriptures as the only rule of faith and obedience (see QA 2). Those who follow the Apostolic fundamental doctrines, receiving Jesus Christ in His threefold office, cannot honestly be branded “divisive” (QA 23-26). It is even a scandalous false charge. Instead, God-fearing repentant believers are only learning to perform works of reformation and follow 1 Peter 3:15. Instead, it is the dedicated sectarians and heretical preachers who are divisive, even severely so (Matt. 16:11-12; Acts 15:5; Rom. 12:16; 16:17-18; I Cor. 11:18-19: II Cor. 11:3-4: Galatians 5:19-21; Tit. 3:10-11, KJB, Geneva B), with a different gospel and different Christ. It is explained in this Preface and this book, how to be meek and in submission to Jesus Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King in accordance with six reformed catechisms; and the reason we have severe arguments with professing reformed kindred/relatives is because Jesus is our Prophet and King, and He is not their Prophet and King (Psa. 110:3; Jn. 1:49; Acts 2:19-23; Jm. 4:10-12; Rev. 1:5; 19:16, KJB, Geneva B). As much as reformed evangelical brethren do love their kindred-relatives, we must love Jesus Christ more, am bound for our home in heaven, and may be called home on any given day; but sadly many kindred-relatives display that Jesus is not their Prophet, Priest, and King, by their speech and actions. Now they can continue in their reviling divisive attitude and in truth against the biblical reformed evangelical faith and prepare to go to hell; or they can seek to exercise due diligence and read this Preface and book sent to them.

Lastly, this book can be sent to (5) basic adherent Christians and even many displayed nominal Christians in answer for the ignorant and even deliberate genocide and depopulation which occurred from 2020-25 and even before. Yes, these are secondary causes as all such determinations of death (see QA 19; 6th commandment). Yet, why did so many politicians and so many medical physicians in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, United Kingdom and the United States participate in an authoritarian unmerciful scheme which resulted in genocide and depopulation? In fact, many estimates indicate the death of one third of the world. Why did so many ministers of the visible church, including neo-reformed churches, fail to sound the alarm and condemn it? Many even echoed the false statement that vaccine/injections/jabs are “safe and effective,” with known and published bodily damage and severe side effects of a multitude of injections. Also, many theistic evolutionists (see QA 9-11) are ignorantly sounding the alarm of too low of population in many nations; but since the known side effects of many injections/jabs, food, toxic water, and toxic pills also have the effect of apparent sterilization, these alarmists are very concerned with no offered solution. Yet, the biblical solution is written in this book (see 7th commandment), including that King Jesus will in His time revive His cause to advance the true gospel to the nations (QA 26).

This book gives a most pertinent summary of the theistic evolutionary, atheistic, and agnostic authoritarianism, Malthusian, genocide, and depopulation which occurred, even unprecedented in history (2020-25), without a major war (see QA 7-9, 12-19, 26; 5th, 6th and 7th commandments). How did this come about under God’s Providence and what is the biblical solution, even biblical political solution, with works of reformation? You can read this book and seek to hear faithful reformed evangelical catechetical preaching. It is also part of the duty of reformed evangelical brethren in I Peter 3:15 to answer basic questions, discuss this book, and invite these people to a faithful reformed evangelical church by internet or in church attendance.

Well some readers may ask how to get Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox sectarians, 19th-21st centuries charismatic sectarians, dedicated neo-evangelical sectarians and dedicated neo-reformed sectarians to read this book? Let us take note; these sectarians do not profess Jesus Christ as Prophet of prophets. They reject the Scriptures to be the only rule of faith and obedience. Unless they show definite signs to be drawn to the true gospel of free grace (see Jn. 6:44, KJB, Geneva B), they will not listen nor comprehend, because they remain under the curse and delusions of the covenant of works (see QA 12-19). Dedicated sectarians are also under a special sectarian demonic influence under the Providence of God (Acts 15:5; I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 3:1-7; II Thess. 2:1-12: II Pet. 2:1-3, KJB, Geneva B). They are ‘bewitched’ (Gal. 3:1, KJB, Geneva B). Then how do reformed evangelicals reach them with even the beginning of gospel direction to the true Jesus Christ? The answer to this pertinent and biblical inquiry is by a definite biblical application of I Thessalonians 1:4-10, II Thessalonians 3:1-5, and I Peter 3:15 (KJB, Geneva B, NKJV); and the biblical application of Psalm 2, 110, and I Corinthians 15:25 (QA 26) is taught in every faithful Westminster Presbyterian Church and in genuine reformed evangelical Baptist churches.

Such evangelical obedience by God-fearing repentant believing saints should from time to time culminate in I Peter 3:15b: “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” It is sad when some professing Christians are rarely asked about their Christian faith, when instead they falsely believe that they are to aggressively perform ‘lay evangelism’ with little or no good result. Note the words “a reason for the hope that is in you.” The one asking the questions are the unbeliever or dedicated sectarian; and they ask the question, because the reformed evangelical obedience with knowledge is so evident in God-fearing repentant believers. Then when asked, the answer-reply should not be overwhelming or too long in explanation. Instead, clearly mention the on-going invitation to come to a faithful reformed evangelical church in person, online, or by video sermons; and yes, a genuine reformed evangelical church is always friendly and inviting to any and all, but without compromising the reformed evangelical faith nor presenting a false Jesus Christ of anyone’s imagination.