Catechisms are an ancient and time–tested method that Christians have employed to pass on the core of what they believe about God and what He requires believers to do. Through a simple question–and–answer approach, young and old have been taught biblical truth about our great God and His ways. Randall Greenwald’s new discussion of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, one of the most treasured of these catechisms, is indeed a welcome tool for exploring the riches of this particular catechism and, even better, for growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Do we really need another book on the Westminster Shorter Catechism? It might be tempting to say we don’t, since this classic summary of Bible doctrine already has countless summaries and explanations of it in circulation. But both the title and the table of contents of this particular volume immediately captured my imagination. Here is a fresh and thoughtfully applied exploration of the great truths that were first summarised for a distant generation, revisited for today.

Finally a book of theology and the Reformed faith that won’t bore the reader to death. This is a book that will be such an incredible tool for small study groups, leadership training and laypeople who are often looking for an understandable and useful guide to the Christian faith.

As a professional writer and editor, I’ve been consistently impressed by the quality of Randy’s writing; I’m also struck by his deep theological knowledge, and how it’s paired with genuine pastoral concern for those around him. This is a project that requires writing chops, theological acumen and a pastor’s heart. Randy’s got them all.