Hi Susan <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for responding! I went to the site, and thank you for that. I am not familiar at all with catechisms though. The only thing I remember in my youth, were classmates going to catholic "catechism" after school lol.

I think I will ask the question out here about the confessions etc. Because I don't understand it. Please no one throw rotten tomatoes at me okay? Fresh are okay.. we are out anyway. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My husband asked his son the other night if he remembered his confirmation. Those children from his first marriage grew up Lutheran. He said he did not remember anything. He knows nothing of the gospel, and has no basis for religion. He did not say that verbatim. It was more like, "I dunno, I dunno, I dunno." The only thing he has surmised from his bible reading (which consists of the last verse of the last book of the bible, in which he feels it is unscriptural to help people.

He is terribly hurt by the church's completely abandoning their family when their mother breathed the word "divorce." I guess the pastor of their lutheran church literally just got up and left the house. So.. I am rambling.. sorry.

What I am getting at, is my husband was asking him his catechism questions. He doesn't remember anything. It means absolutely nothing to him. I think the opposite is true too in some cases where someone holds on to the fact that they have remembered the questions and answers perfectly, and thereby are saved or are okay with God.

So what is the purpose of a catechism? Is this a guide for me to teach my children? or is it literally to teach them the questions and answers? What is the value of teaching them the answers? I am not asking from a certain perspective. I am literally asking the question because I do not know, and am very interested in an answer.

Also, that is the same idea behind my wondering about the canons etc. Many of you all here refer to the Westminster confession of faith, the long and the short, or some canon or creed. I know that I do quote spurgeon sometimes, but it is to explain somethign that I am trying to say because I stumble over my words, and when I type, many times I am all over the place, and he is much more eloquent. He makes the point. But I think i have noticed that some refer to the WCF, or whatever and not the scripture. If anyone is interested, I will find and post this next item. I read an article here about the passage in Rev. about the churches. There was a mention about being "blotted out of the book of life." The writer said, "Calvin says that we will not be blotted out." And that was the last mention of it! Whuh?

This is what I am wondering about. Why are the confessions, and canons etc. put so high. I am not accusing anyone in the least. If there is an answer, than maybe it's a good one. I guess I'll think about it if anyone does answer. There is much scripture used in this forum and in reformed/calvinist circles, but it seems to me, that just as much is quoted from these other works.

Is this right? Just wondering <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Michele