Teaching the Faith: *The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism

A new edition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism uses cartoon illustrations as an aid to understanding and discussion.

*The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English, illustrated by Paul Cox. P&R Publishing, 2023, 123 pages

Reading Level: Middle grades ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, ages 8-12 for independent study and memorization

“Catechizing” is a time-tested method of teaching that came into its own during the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, Zacharias Ursinus, and Philipp Melanchthon all wrote or contributed to catechisms, but the “Westminster Divines,” called together in 1646 to compose a comprehensive confession, wrote not one but two catechisms for the instruction of the people. The traditional question & answer format requires memorization, ideally undertaken in the elementary grades when children’s brains are soaking up information and retaining a surprising amount. It’s an ideal age for memorization. I still recall advertising jingles from the early 1960s—how much better to have learned basic principles of the faith?

This edition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism maintains the stately tone of the original in slightly updated and simplified language. All 107 questions are included, following the traditional structure of basic questions about man’s sinful condition, foundational truths about God’s character and acts of redemption, ending in examination of the Ten Commandments and the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. The content necessarily uses big words to address big ideas: justification, effective calling, sanctification, sacraments, etc. The illustrations, rendered in a friendly but not silly cartoon style, employ straightforward representation, symbolism, and biblical examples. (e.g., The subject of God’s providence uses the trials of Joseph to show how God used human evil for good purposes.)

Many of the symbolic illustrations call for thought and discussion. “What is sanctification?” shows a man digging graves to bury his sins as “we become dead to sin and alive to righteousness.” “Repentance unto life” shows a zigzag course of sin leaning someone downward while a straight arrow of “saving grace” points upward. Some of the illustrations had me scratching my head, but that just led to further thought. Parents reading through the questions with their kids will find much to talk about. But talking through all 107 questions and answers will give kids a foundation in the faith it would be hard to match by any other means.

Note: Question #95 on baptism reflects the Presbyterian and Reformed understanding that infants born to believing parents should be baptized.

Overall Rating: 4.75 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Artistic/literary value: 4.5

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: For background on the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, see our review of Contending for the Faith.
• Review: Training Hearts, Teaching Minds is Starr Meade’s family devotional guide for the Shorter Catechism. For older students, consider Truths We Confess, R. C. Sproul’s systematic exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
• Resource: See our booklist of Reformation history resources.

This book was received from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.

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