Catechism and confessing faith: Head or heart?
Prof. Barry Gritters examines the purpose and practice of catechism instruction and confession of faith within the Protestant Reformed Church, questioning whether these practices aim primarily at intellectual assent or also at genuine heart transformation. Through historical reflection on how confession of faith examinations have been conducted over the past 50+ years, Gritters challenges a purely objective, head-focused approach and advocates for a more holistic understanding that encompasses both doctrinal knowledge and spiritual commitment.
I have heard from friends who made confession of faith about 50 years ago (which betrays my age) that when young people wanted to confess their faith, it was common for groups of a dozen and more to be allowed into the consistory room. Each was asked a few questions from a book of prepared questions and, with very little more, were approved to make public their confession of faith and come to the Lord's Supper. Memories can be faulty or weak of course (I remember little of my own appearance at...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org