Westminster Shorter Catechism

(The Westminster Shorter Catechism, original of the year 1647).

In 1643, when the Long Parliament of England convened the Westminster Assembly to produce the Confession of Faith, it also laid down guidelines for a "Catechism."
The Assembly asked Herbert Palmer to draw up an outline of the Catechism, but Robert Baillie and the other Scottish commissioners were left disappointed.

In December a committee was appointed to write a catechism, and in January 1647 the Assembly gave up the idea of writing a single catechism and divided it into two: the Shorter Catechism, meant to be "brief and easy for beginners," and the Larger Catechism, more precise and comprehensive.

The catechism was completed in 1647, and the following year it was adopted by the General Assembly of Scotland.

The Shorter Catechism - original, year 1647

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) - Questions and Answers

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), with audio and free PDF: the 107 questions and answers of the Reformed catechism with proof texts

AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMMISSIONERS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, AS A PART OF THE COVENANTED UNIFORMITY IN RELIGION BETWIXT THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE KINGDOMS OF SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND IRELAND.

AND APPROVED, ANNO 1648, BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, TO BE A DIRECTORY FOR CATECHISING SUCH AS ARE OF WEAKER CAPACITY.

WITH THE PROOFS THEREOF OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Assembly at EDINBURGH, July 28, 1648. Session 19.

Act approving the SHORTER CATECHISM.

The General Assembly, having seriously considered the SHORTER CATECHISM agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the assistance of the Commissioners from this Kirk, doth find, upon due examination thereof, that the said Catechism is agreeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk; and doth therefore approve the said Shorter Catechism, as a part of the intended uniformity, to be a Directory for catechising such as are of weaker capacity.

A. KER.